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Port Royal interviews short-term rental task force candidates as residents and hosts split over caps
Summary
At a June 5 workshop, council members interviewed applicants for a short-term rental task force; some candidates urged resident-majority panels and time limits, while hosts said rentals bring visitors and spending. The prior task force recommendation (8%) and neighboring Buford's 6% cap were frequently referenced.
Port Royal council on June 5 interviewed a slate of applicants for a short-term rental task force, recording a mix of perspectives that split roughly between residents urging caps and neighborhood protections and hosts emphasizing economic benefits and operational controls.
Les (Akers), speaking during his interview, urged a resident-majority task force with a time-limited charge. "The first one is that everybody on this task force should be a 'resident of Port Royal," he said, adding that the panel should have a defined timeline (he suggested six months) and clear questions from the council to guide its work.
Other applicants described a range of policy positions. Charlie Bray referenced neighboring rules and past work by a task force: "When they limited the number of short term rentals in their district, they put it at 6%. Our task force recommended 8%." He urged enforcement mechanisms for any new ordinance. Wendy Zara, who serves on the planning commission and said she served on the original task force, said, "We do need a cap on short term rentals," and called for safety, lodging-level oversight and fire-department monitoring.
Several applicants who operate short-term rentals urged measured rules and strong host accountability. Debbie Ball, who said she has hosted two rentals for five years, described proactive neighbor-contact practices and on-site rules to address complaints. David Fletcher, a former task-force member, emphasized balancing property rights with neighborhood character and noted allocation challenges if a cap is applied unevenly across areas.
Council members pressed candidates on scope, strengths they would bring to the commission and prior volunteer experience. Multiple interviewees called for clearer direction from council on the specific questions the task force should answer and whether the council wants geographic or district-based caps. Council did not vote on appointments at the workshop; staff said appointment action will appear on the June 12 council agenda.
