Perry council approves short-term rental permit and several resolutions, formalizes staff appointments

PERRY, Ga. — Perry City Council unanimously approved a staff-recommended special exception to allow a whole-house short-term rental at 207 Greylock Drive at its May 5 meeting, and adopted several resolutions formalizing infrastructure acceptance and personnel appointments.

Miss Holly Wharton presented the short-term rental application (SUS000026-2026), telling council the three-bedroom, two-bath home had passed city inspections and that the owner proposed to host up to eight occupants; staff and the planning commission recommended approval with standard short-term rental conditions including compliance with city quiet-hours and gathering limits. The applicant, Skyler Sanders, said they already operate another short-term rental and hoped to keep visitors in Perry.

Council moved to approve the special exception at 9B and the record shows unanimous approval (SEG 1800-1807). Miss Wharton said permitting and inspection verification will follow the council action prior to occupancy.

Council also approved a slate of resolutions by unanimous vote:

- Acceptance of public infrastructure in Planners Ridge subdivision phases five and six after staff inspection determined water, sanitary sewer, hydrants, stormwater and specified road segments met city standards (SEG 1842-1876). - Authorization for the city to participate in an amicus brief on remand in Chan v. Milton supporting the legal position that any waiver of municipal sovereign immunity for nuisance/personal-injury claims should be grounded in statute or constitution rather than judicially created doctrine (SEG 1878-1930). - Appointment of Lynn McDonald as finance director, effective in two weeks (SEG 1931-1954). - Appointment of Holly Wharton as interim director of community development; she will perform a dual role while the position is posted (SEG 1956-1980). - Formal adoption of the April 7 interim appointment of Dwayne Shoemake as interim public works director (SEG 1981-2008).

Chief Everage also presented a routine update to the city's roadway list for the Georgia Department of Public Safety's speed-control-device license; the council approved the update (SEG 2012-2034). The board accepted a county offer to pave parts of Langston Road at no cost to the city (SEG 1750-1791).

What happens next: For the short-term rental, community development will complete permitting and inspection follow-up. For the personnel appointments and infrastructure acceptance, administrative onboarding and documentation will proceed per normal city procedures.

Votes at a glance: short-term rental (SUS000026-2026) — approved unanimously; Planners Ridge infrastructure acceptance — approved unanimously; amicus participation — approved unanimously; Lynn McDonald appointment — approved unanimously; Holly Wharton interim appointment — approved unanimously; Dwayne Shoemake interim appointment — approved unanimously.