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Webster adopts short-term rental text amendment after public hearing
Summary
The Board of Commissioners adopted a zoning text amendment removing a change-of-ownership exemption for short-term rentals, following recommendations from Jackson County Planning and the local planning board and a public comment from an affected owner. The ordinance was adopted unanimously.
The Town of Webster Board of Commissioners voted unanimously April 16 to adopt a text amendment to the zoning ordinance removing the exemption in Section 5.2.2.2(g) related to change-of-ownership for short-term rentals.
John Jeleniewski of the Jackson County Planning Department presented the staff report, saying both Jackson County Planning and the Webster Planning Board recommended the amendment. Public commenter Fred Schilling said, "I received county approval in 2017 to operate a short-term rental and listed the property for sale in 2024, prior to adoption of the Town’s ordinance." Town Attorney Taylor Osborne reviewed provisions of N.C.G.S. Chapter 160D, including the 24-month rule, and recommended revising the exemption language while retaining the ordinance's structure. Commissioner Allen Davis moved to adopt the amendment and a consistency statement; Commissioner Brandon Core seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
The Board's consistency statement said the text amendment aligns with the town's vision for a welcoming community while honoring residents' desire to remain a community of single-family homes. The amendment was adopted as an ordinance; the Board did not record a roll-call vote but the minutes state the motion carried unanimously.
