Easley commission advances package of four UDO updates, clarifies short-term rental language

The Easley Planning Commission on Aug. 10 approved a package of four amendments to the city's Unified Development Ordinance, with commissioners adopting a last-minute language change to clarify how short-term rentals and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are treated.

Corey, a city planner presenting the packet, said the changes bundle townhome standards, short-term rental rules, ADU provisions and a freestanding sign-area chart. "So these are 4 different items here, that, Mara and I both feel need to be updated, to get the UDO into a better position," Corey said, explaining the aim is to promote infill while leaving density limits unchanged.

Commissioners debated whether the draft language would unintentionally remove existing short-term rental rights when a property adds an ADU. One commissioner proposed altering the line that read "neither the principal dwelling nor the accessory dwelling unit may be rented as a short-term rental" to avoid reversing existing permissions for homeowners. After discussion, the board approved an amendment to specify that ADUs may not be used as short-term rentals and clarified parallel wording across related subsections.

The motion to modify Section 15(a) and apply the same language elsewhere was moved by a committee member and seconded; the chair called for a voice vote and the packet advanced with the language change. The commission recorded no roll-call tallies in the transcript; the chair announced the ayes carried. The packet will move forward for the next steps identified in the staff report.