Community members expressed concern over a proposed ordinance that would regulate the type of short-rental properties found on websites like Airbnb at the Columbia City Council meeting Monday night. The council members decided to table the ordinance until the Jan. 21, 2020 council meeting.
A majority of the regulations concern rentals that are hosted by people who don’t live at the property. According to a council memo, the renter would have to obtain a conditional use permit, which is approved on a case-by-case basis.
Other proposed regulations include requiring a business license, and setting limits on the number of underage people and vehicles at the property.
Council members were open to public comment on these regulations as they are not yet finalized. The city plans on hosting another meeting on Jan. 6 where residents can offer their input on the proposed changes.
Monday night, residents were primarily concerned with having un-hosted property, or property that’s rented out by people who don’t own it, in residential neighborhoods. Among the concerns brought to the table were noise and property value for the area.
Gail Plemmons of the West Ash Neighborhood Association said other college towns across the nation are experiencing a decrease in affordable housing options because of all the STRs being rented out for game days. Plemmons believes that un-hosted STRs should not come at the “cost of the fabric of our neighborhoods.”
“We know our neighbors and want to look out for each other,” Plemmons said.
Planning and Zoning Commissioner Mike McMann recognized why residents would be concerned. He says the commission has put in a lot of research into this issue, especially since, he says, the last thing they want is for private investment companies to encroach on residential areas.
“Many of our community members are upset on both sides, and I get that,” McMann said. “But, this was a very detail-oriented process.”
Mayor Brian Treece thanked the residents for voicing their concerns and assured that the council will be taking them into account when finalizing the ordinance.