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Plan commission recommends denying proposal to allow year‑round short‑term rentals
Summary
The commission recommended denial of a plan to remove the city’s six‑month cap on short‑term rentals, citing housing preservation and neighborhood character; short‑term rental operators argued their businesses support local spending.
The Delavan Plan Commission voted to recommend denial of a proposed zoning text amendment that would have removed the city’s 180‑day limit on short‑term rentals and allowed year‑round operation.
Jackie Mish, consulting city planner, explained state law limits municipal authority on short‑term rentals but allows a city to set a six‑month limit; the proposed amendment would have removed that limit to permit year‑round short‑term rental use. She told commissioners that only a few short‑term rentals currently operate in the city.
Tom Brown, a short‑term rental owner, said he relies on rental income to afford local property and estimated his operation brings about $100,000 in visitor spending annually to the community. Neighbors including Melinda Allen, Karen Smith and Steve Clardy voiced concerns about parties, loss of year‑round residents and impacts on neighborhood character and long‑term housing supply.
Commissioners who framed the 180‑day limit as an intentional public‑policy tool to limit demand for long‑term homes and to control use supported a motion to recommend denial. The motion carried on a voice vote.
