Brookings Planning Commission approves short-term rental at 1314 Hampton Road

The City of Brookings Planning Commission voted unanimously March 4 to approve a conditional use permit (file CUP-225) allowing a short-term rental at 1314 Hampton Road, the commission announced after closing public testimony.

The permit was approved based on findings and conclusions in the staff report and subject to the conditions of approval recommended by planning staff. The commission also approved the final order for the file at the same meeting.

The application, filed by owners Carl and Emily Clyde, requested permission to operate a short-term rental in an R1-zoned single-family dwelling. Lori, planning staff, summarized the file for the commission, saying the subject property is ‘‘regular in shape, 0.13 acre in size’’ with a 5-bedroom, 3-bath, approximately 2,700-square-foot house, a two-car garage and a paved driveway that meets the city's off-street parking requirement for three vehicles. Lori said utilities are provided and that the applicants have identified a local representative within the Brookings Urban Growth Boundary who would be available to handle repairs, resolve disputes or terminate occupancy if necessary.

Lori read a written comment submitted in opposition by Mr. and Mrs. Bailey of 16932 Bridal Lane. The letter, as read into the record, stated in part: "We are against the property at 1314 Hampton Road, file number CUP225, becoming a short term rental." The Baileys' written concerns cited reduced housing inventory for full-time residents, loud parties and fireworks after 10 p.m., trespassing, and an incident involving a loose wolf-hybrid dog; the letter also alleged an attempt by a renter to cut a neighbor's gate lock to park a boat.

Carl Clyde, the applicant, participated by phone and said he and his wife have operated another short-term rental in Brookings for about a year without complaints. Clyde told the commission they take neighborhood impacts seriously and said they would provide a local point of contact for neighbors.

The commission opened public testimony, received the staff report and the written opposition, allowed the applicant time for rebuttal, and then closed testimony. The applicants waived additional written argument and asked the commission to decide the matter that evening.

Commission discussion then produced a motion to approve file CUP-225 "based on the findings and conclusions stated in the staff report and subject to the conditions of approval." The motion passed with recorded votes of "aye" from Chair Skip Watwood, Commissioner Chapman, Commissioner Bruce, Commissioner Wolfowitz, Commissioner Vaughn, Commissioner Whitmore and Commissioner Bond; the commissioners recorded unanimous approval and the chair declared the application approved.

Votes at a glance: CUP-225 (1314 Hampton Road) — Approved. Motion: approve conditional use permit per staff findings and subject to conditions. Vote: unanimous (7–0). Final order for CUP-225 — Approved. Planning Commission minutes (Feb. 4, 2025) — Approved (recorded aye votes during the same meeting).

The staff report cited the local approval criteria for short-term rentals and conditional uses; during the hearing Lori referenced "chapter 17.136 conditional uses" and "section 17.2 0.04 q single family residential," as the applicable code sections used to evaluate the request. The staff recommendation and the commission’s approvals were limited to the materials and findings in the record.

The meeting record shows one written opposition and no members of the public present in the meeting room to speak in person. Planning staff told the commission there will be an April meeting that will include at least one conditional use permit for a short-term rental. In closing comments, the chair reminded residents that nuisance incidents involving short-term rentals should be documented with the police department so the city can maintain a record of problems.

The commission’s approvals mean the conditional use permit and the final order were adopted that evening; the transcript does not state additional enforcement steps or appeal deadlines beyond the standard appeal opportunities noted in the staff report.