HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-04-17 - Vacation Rentals7 • •
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MEETING DATE
SUBJECT:
RECOMMENDATION:
tAfS P�2- ITEM
MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
RON STOMBAUGH,PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
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APRIL 17, 2012
WORKSHOP DISCUSSION—VACATION RENTAL
Staff recommends the Commission be prepared to discuss the concept of "vacation rental'
and consider any possible amendments or changes to the zoning ordinance if deemed
appropriate and take any necessary action.
Staff recently received a complaint concerning the use of residential property in the city for
"vacation rental' purposes. This complaint was not from a nearby resident concerning the
use of the property with a specific issue such as noise, parking, or traffic, but from
someone concerned about the identification of such properties and their payment of the
hotel -motel tax that is required for such types of uses. Currently we have no codified
oversight of vacation rental nor do we have a definition for such a use. Typically, vacation
rental refers to residentially zoned/developed property that is unoccupied by the owner and
is leased for a short term, usually less than thirty days. Staff has identified five vacation
rental properties but there are potentially more. Staff is also unsure whether those five that
have been identified are paying their hotel -motel taxes. A quick survey of cities that may
have experience with this issue has provided little insight on the matter. For example, the
City of Arlington, prior to the Super Bowl last year thoughtfully considered the issue of short
term vacation rental but chose to take no specific zoning action and instead issued a public
statement alerting property owners that were considering renting their homes to pay the
hotel -motel tax that is required for such uses. Galveston has discussed the issue before
and took no action but after the hurricane in 2008 is considering revisiting the matter.
Another city, Wimberley, Texas, requires a conditional use permit for vacation rental.
Staff recommends the Commission thoughtfully consider the issue of vacation rental and
be prepared to discuss the matter with the possibility of drafting some language regulating
the use or taking no specific action.
/rs
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