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Harris Township residents press supervisors to limit dedicated short‑term rentals; board asks Planning Commission to draft rules
Summary
Dozens of residents urged Harris Township supervisors to curb investment‑purpose Airbnbs that neighbors say leave houses vacant and erode community cohesion. After hours of testimony, the board directed staff to send resident input and the draft memo to the Planning Commission and the township solicitor for draft ordinance language and enforceability review.
Harris Township supervisors heard more than three hours of public comment on April 14 as residents and property owners clashed over whether the township should restrict dedicated short‑term rentals advertised on platforms such as Airbnb.
The matter drew large turnout from Willowbrook Estates and surrounding neighborhoods, where several residents said houses bought for the sole purpose of short‑term rentals leave yards and property maintenance neglected and undermine neighborhood ties. Barbara Davies, who said she lives at 1445 Willowbrook Drive, described two nearby houses that she said function as vacant investment Airbnbs and said "it's going to be very detrimental to...the friendships and the community that we've built."
Why it matters: Staff told the board a quick search of listings shows roughly 50 short‑term rental advertisements in Harris Township, concentrated near Bolesburg and neighboring residential areas.…
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