Council approves short-term rental at Morgan Drive amid parking and process concerns, 5-2

City planner Han Vu presented use-permit application 24-0468 for a short-term rental at 1536 Morgan Drive, noting the property is a 624-square-foot, two-bedroom dwelling in the Long Creek short-term rental overlay. Staff said there is currently no on-site parking and that the applicant had applied for a permit to install parking; staff recommended approval with 15 conditions including limits on overnight lodging (no more than two people), a requirement that minimum on-site parking be provided prior to operation, a local responsible contact, and a prohibition on events.

Planning Commission members had recommended denial, stating concerns that the application could be a perceived workaround of the ZAP process because the property did not currently meet on-site parking requirements. Council members debated whether the use-permit route was an allowable option under code when density or separation tests are marginal but staff reiterated that the code provides both routes and that a use permit, if granted, should include the same conditions required by a ZAP.

After discussion and a motion to approve with the staff-recommended 15 conditions, the council voted 5-2 in favor. Two members voted No, and the mayor and other members said staff will inspect and require the parking improvements and other conditions before final authorization to operate.