Planning board urges tighter short‑term rental enforcement, forwards ordinance review

The Webster Board of Commissioners on Oct. 2 received a Planning Board letter recommending stronger enforcement of the town’s short‑term rental (STR) rules and agreed to forward a resident’s detailed ordinance review to the town attorney.

Commissioner Leigh Anne Young summarized the Planning Board’s recommendations, which after reviewing approaches used in Boone, Forest Hills, Asheville, Charlotte and Raleigh called for three immediate actions: establish an online feedback forum routed to the town clerk for 24/7 reporting of STR violations; set fines high enough to encourage compliance; and issue written notices to homeowners, realtors and local real estate attorneys clarifying Webster’s STR regulations.

The Planning Board asked that the document prepared by resident Chris Cox — described at the meeting as a detailed review identifying errors and inconsistencies in current ordinances — be forwarded to the town attorney for legal review. Mr. Cox offered to speak with the attorney and assist in resolving the identified issues.

The board was also told that Planning Board Chair Sara Stahlman has stepped down; the minutes did not record an appointment or interim chair. The Planning Board recommended the three enforcement steps as measures likely to improve compliance without proposing new ordinance language at this meeting.

Next steps: Commissioner Young said the review and recommendations should be sent to the town attorney for legal scrutiny and the board will consider any suggested revisions once the attorney and Mr. Cox have conferred.