Resident urges township to keep ban on short-term rentals after years of neighborhood nuisance

A Grosse Ile resident told the Coast East Seal Township Planning Commission on Nov. 1 that he opposes any policy change that would permit short-term rentals in the township, saying repeated nuisance activity from a nearby seasonal rental has not been stopped by current enforcement.

Todd Tyson of 8253 Island Boulevard said the house across the street has been rented on sites such as Airbnb and VRBO for roughly November through May in recent years. He described frequent late-night arrivals, dozens of vehicles blocking the street and “loud obscene language” that prompted police and township complaints but did not stop the activity.

"The reality here is that absent homeowners, short term renting their property, have no ability to regulate what goes on there or who actually shows up at these sites," Tyson said, adding that the pattern of repeated incidents makes enforcement impractical in his view.

Township staff cautioned that the zoning ordinance currently does not permit short-term rentals in single-family residential districts and that enforcement often depends on documentary evidence that will hold up in court. A staff member said the township has sent enforcement letters and that some cases go to the district court; in one local example staff said they are in the Third District Court with a short-term rental issue.

"Right now, we're in 30 third district court with, with a short term rental issue," a staff member said, noting that enforcement typically relies on an online listing that matches a property and corroborating on-site observations.

Tyson said he had previously texted township staff with a live Airbnb link and photos; the listing vanished shortly thereafter but he said the activity has recurred year after year and that fines imposed so far have not deterred the owner.

The commission did not take formal action on the comment. Chair and staff members told Tyson that any proposed change to permit short-term rentals would be considered by the township board and, if the board sought zoning changes, the matter would return to the planning commission for review.

Tyson said he will provide photographs and documentation to the township board and continue to report incidents to police and administration.