Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Short Term Rentals topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee advances amendment to allow short-term rentals in Dale district after 5-1 vote; planning commission had recommended denial
Summary
After debate and questions about neighborhood notice and impacts, the Community Services and Land Use Committee voted 5-1 to recommend a citizen-initiated text amendment to allow short-term rentals as a special use in parts of the Dale Community Preservation District; the Planning Commission had earlier recommended denial by a 5-3 vote.
The Community Services and Land Use Committee voted to forward to county council a proposed amendment to the Community Development Code to allow short-term rentals as a special use in the Dale Community Preservation District and the Dale Mixed Use District.
Rob Merchant, the county planning director, told the committee the county adopted short-term rental standards in 2020 and that similar community-preservation districts on Lady's Island were amended in later years to allow short-term rentals as a special use. "When we receive an application, we are required—or completeness to bring it forward to the planning commission," Merchant said, adding that the Planning Commission had recommended denial at its October meeting by a 5-3 vote.
Several committee members questioned whether neighbors had been heard. Merchant and other staff noted that the change is a text amendment to add the use; if the amendment is approved, individual short-term rental special-use requests must still go before the Zoning Board of Appeals with 500-foot notice to surrounding property owners where they would have an opportunity to support or object. "Allowing the special use does not guarantee a permit," a staff member said, noting the layered review.
Committee discussion cited concerns about compatibility, precedent and notice. One member said the Planning Commission meeting on the topic had been "very long" and that neighbors had voiced worries about impacts. Another member said the ZBOA process and direct notice to surrounding properties provided additional protection.
After a roll-call vote the committee recorded: Vice Chair Glover — Yes; Chairman Passamette — Yes; Council member Tabernick — Yes; Council member Reeds — No; Council member Brown — Yes; Committee Chair Howard — Yes. The motion passed 5-1 and the ordinance amendment will be placed on the council docket for additional readings.
Votes at a glance
- Committee recommendation (text amendment to CDC sections A6.40 and A7.40): PASSED (5 yes, 1 no). Planning Commission recommendation: Deny (5-3).
The staff packet and the committee record note that any future short-term rental permit would require a separate special-use application to the ZBOA, which triggers 500-foot notice to neighbors. The amendment therefore changes where short-term rentals are permitted to be considered, but not the case-by-case approval standard.
