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Neighbors oppose short-term rental at 320 Cedar Drive; applicant says he will manage property
Summary
At a Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing about a short-term rental application for 320 Cedar Drive, nearby residents raised safety, neighborhood-character and noticing concerns while the applicant said he would personally manage bookings and cleaning; the commission later tabled the case at the applicant's request.
The Planning and Zoning Commission heard public comment and an applicant presentation Tuesday on a conditional-use application to operate a short-term rental at 320 Cedar Drive.
Doug Burhagger, who identified himself as a resident of 346 Cedar Drive, told the commission he opposed approval because the street is a residential neighborhood “for residents and not transient people,” and he raised safety and regulatory concerns about monitoring guests. “This is a residential area for residents and not transient people,” Burhagger said.
Applicant James Schultz said he bought and renovated the house and that he would personally manage bookings, cleaning and guest screening rather than hire a third-party management company. Schultz told the commission the listing would use platforms such as Airbnb or VRBO, and that those platforms provide user profiles and reviews he would consider when approving reservations. “I would be the one responding to people. I would be the one going there to clean,” Schultz said.
Neighbors questioned the adequacy of the city’s notice process and the effect of additional short-term rentals on housing supply. Amy Burhager, who said she lives on Cedar Drive, said many neighbors did not receive mailed notice and asked whether a homeowners association could prohibit a short-term rental. “I don’t want to live two doors away from what I think is going to be a hotel,” she said. Aaron Harper, a resident and local real estate agent, told commissioners the city’s single-family inventory is tight and urged the commission to prioritize long-term housing.
Commissioners asked Schultz about guest screening and management; Schultz said hosts can review profiles and guests receive reviews in turn. Several commissioners noted the broader policy questions about density and saturation of short-term rentals and said those are being addressed in code revisions staff will present at a later meeting.
The commission did not decide the application at the meeting. Commissioners moved to close the public hearing and then to table case 26-01 (320 Cedar Drive) at the applicant’s request so that the matter can return with additional information.
The commission’s next steps: staff will include the application on a future agenda once the applicant and staff are ready, and the commission will revisit the matter when the zoning-code updates and the consultant’s recommendations are available.
