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Council upholds short‑term‑rental denial for 319 Park Drive, citing 'failure to collect' lodging taxes
Summary
Council affirmed Planning & Zoning’s denial (6–1), concluding that a series of $0 tax returns does not meet the STR renewal requirement to collect lodging taxes during the permit period; neighbors and neighboring owners urged consistent application to prevent 'ghost' permits that block neighbors from getting permits.
Glenwood Springs City Council on Aug. 6 voted 6–1 to affirm Planning & Zoning Commission’s denial of a short‑term rental permit renewal for 319 Park Drive, finding the renewal code condition — that a permit holder must collect lodging taxes during the permit period — had not been met.
Applicant Cindy Salvados told council she had filed monthly sales/tax returns reporting $0 and cited unexpected medical surgeries that limited her ability to finalize hosting within the 72‑day window after she received her permit. "I filed 0 tax every month," Salvados said, adding that she did not interpret the ordinance as requiring that someone had to have stayed in the house.
Owners of nearby 322 Park Drive and other neighbors argued a $0 return does not satisfy the renewal standard and that unused permits prevent other property owners from obtaining space-limited permits; James McGuire, one of 322 Park's owners, called the unused permit a "weapon" used to block neighbors. Staff and PNZ previously applied the same interpretation to other addresses; councilors who supported upholding PNZ said the ordinance's intent is to ensure permits are used to generate lodging tax revenue and to protect the 250‑foot spacing limit. The motion to affirm passed 6–1; Councilor Smith recorded the lone dissent, arguing ambiguity in the language and urging a second chance for the applicant.
