Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Short Term Rentals topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Woodstown council tables short-term rental ordinance after Planning Board rebuttal
Summary
Council members paused action on Ordinance 2026-6, which would regulate short-term rental units, after Solicitor DiNicola cited a Planning Board rebuttal and recommended more information; council agreed to table the ordinance for further review.
Woodstown Borough Council on May 12 voted to table Ordinance 2026-6, a proposed chapter to regulate short-term dwelling rental units, after the borough solicitor said the Planning Board submitted a rebuttal that raised unanswered issues.
Solicitor DiNicola told the council that the Planning Board's written rebuttal required follow-up and recommended delaying any approval or denial until more definitive answers were available. Mayor Joseph Hiles and Councilman Jesse Stemberger each described their interpretations of what the Planning Board had said, and Zoning Officer Erin L. Maurer outlined ongoing enforcement issues tied to short-term rentals in the borough. Members of the public also spoke during the hearing.
Councilmember James Hackett moved to table the ordinance and Glenn Merkle seconded; the motion carried with all in favor. No formal amendments to the ordinance were adopted; council directed staff to gather the requested clarifications before the item returns for further consideration.
Why it matters: Short-term rental rules can affect neighborhood character, property owners' ability to rent, and enforcement workload for zoning and code officers. The Planning Board rebuttal indicates technical or legal questions that council members want addressed before acting.
Next steps: The ordinance remains tabled pending the Planning Board's and solicitor's clarification; council did not set a specific follow-up date during the meeting.
