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Page County planning commission deadlocks on short-term rental ordinance; forwards draft without recommendation
Summary
After hours of public comment, the commission split 3–3 on motions both to approve and to deny the short-term tourist rental zoning amendment, so the draft will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors without a planning commission recommendation.
The Page County Planning Commission could not reach a recommendation on a proposed short-term tourist rental zoning amendment after extensive public comment and internal debate, leaving the decision to the county Board of Supervisors.
Staff opened the public hearing by tracing the ordinance’s history—including a June 17, 2025 board retreat, a joint planning commission meeting on Sept. 2, 2025, and a steering committee that met through March 2026—and noted the draft and the county attorney’s review are available online. Owners, operators and residents offered sharply divided views during a public comment period. "We are very conscious about being good neighbors," said Cliff McCready, a short-term rental owner, while others warned a two‑year ownership waiting period would harm property sales and tourism.
Commissioners then debated substance and scope. Several members said they support parts of the draft but cannot back the proposed two‑year ownership delay. One commissioner argued STRs should require special‑use permits (SUPs) in agricultural and woodland conservation districts to better protect rural character. After discussion, commissioners put two different motions on the floor: one to forward the draft recommending approval and another to recommend denial. Each motion produced a 3–3 roll call tie; by the commission’s bylaws, ties count as a failure to adopt a recommendation.
Clerk Mr. Hahn confirmed both ballots were 3–3 and said: "We had two motions tonight. I believe they were 3‑3 in both cases. So that means there is no recommendation. This will likely move forward to the board with a referral without a recommendation." The Board of Supervisors will receive the draft and all submitted public comments and decide whether to adopt, amend, or reject the proposed ordinance.
Next steps: the draft will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for their review; the commission’s clerk encouraged residents to contact their board members and noted additional materials are posted on the county website.
