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Resident tells planning commission short‑term rental leaves her feeling unsafe after repeated disturbances
Summary
At the meeting a Pocono resident described repeated late‑night disturbances and four recent police calls tied to a nearby short‑term rental that she says overlooks her property and houses "16 plus guests," and asked the township to consider stricter siting or controls.
A Pocono Township resident told the planning commission she no longer "feel[s] safe anymore" after repeated disturbances tied to a nearby short‑term rental, urging the board to consider tighter siting controls or enforcement options.
"The building is very large ... it houses 16 plus guests," Resident Beta Babel said during public comment, telling commissioners the rental sits about 70 feet from her property line and includes a first‑floor balcony that gives guests a view across her yard and front of her house. She said the last 10 days produced four calls to the township police and that, despite filing repeated complaints, she continues to suffer noise and safety concerns.
Beta Babel praised the township police for professionalism but said complaints and non‑emergency calls have not been enough: "I refuse to be a prisoner in my own home," she said, adding that she was advised to bring the matter to the commission.
The commission did not take formal action during the meeting; staff and commissioners did not announce a new enforcement step on the record. Earlier in the agenda the chair had outlined public‑comment rules and invited residents to raise issues at the meeting.
What’s next: Commissioners did not vote or direct a specific enforcement action at the session. Residents who seek changes to how short‑term rentals are sited, regulated or enforced typically need an ordinance change or an enforcement policy; the planning commission’s discussion focused that evening on draft zoning ordinance revisions and mapping rather than immediate code enforcement steps.
The public comment is expected to be part of the record the commission will consider as staff prepares revised zoning materials for the next meeting.
