At the Nov. 10 public forum John Growski, a long-time lakefront resident, told the East Bethel City Council that a neighboring short-term rental has been used repeatedly as a commercial event venue, disrupting his family's enjoyment and raising safety concerns.

"The home is being marketed and used as a commercial event center," Growski said, describing regular gatherings with "a dozen cars and 15 to 25 people" and saying he felt unsafe when his daughter reported about 50 cars and 100 people at the site during one event. Growski said he filed a complaint in October after the incident and that he had found no specific city ordinance governing large short-term rental events.

City staff acknowledged the concern and said staff have been gathering ordinance examples from other cities and will bring proposals to council for consideration so residents can participate when the council considers possible regulatory actions. Staff told the council they would notify the resident when those options are scheduled for formal council action.

What the council can do next: The city may present regulatory options drawn from other municipal codes — such as event restrictions, occupancy limits, permit requirements, or special licensing for commercial rentals — for council consideration. The transcript records staff promising to return with ordinance options; no formal ordinance vote occurred at the Nov. 10 meeting.