2021.02.09 WS Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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indicated staff does not have a great understanding about the number of short-term rentals that are operating in New Brighton. He commented in 2020 there were multiple incidents that occurred at one property in particular, which led staff to readdress this topic with the Council. He stated otherwise, he does not get a lot of complaints about short-term rentals. He explained the Public Safety Department was in favor of the City regulating short- term rentals for crime prevention and public safety purposes. He reported in the end, it was the Council's prerogative to take action on an Ordinance of this type. Councilmember Dunsworth stated she supported the City having regulations in place for short-term rentals. She believed the City should be proactive in order to have regulations in place to address problem properties. She supported the City pursuing a minimally invasive Ordinance, noting she did not support the overly restrictive regulations in place in Roseville. She was of the opinion the City would be overstepping if it were to regulate the number of people that could be in a house. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas questioned how occupancy numbers are generated. Schlichting explained staff was proposing the Building Official and Fire Marshall look at life safety issues when reviewing short-term rental permits. These individuals would be able to set a safe number of occupants that should be allowed in a short- term rental. Gozola indicated the City would not require an inspection for the proposed license. Councilmember Abdulle stated he liked the balance within the proposed Ordinance. He asked if the City was proposing to limit the number of occupants because there were concerns with large parties or was this being done by other communities as well. Gozola commented it was his experience the one property that has generated complaints, was because too many people were gathering at the property for a house party. He stated one way for the City to address this concern would be to set an occupancy number. Councilmember Allen anticipated there were plenty of properties that were renting out their properties with no concerns. However, there was one property that was having problems. He explained he could support striking the 10 occupant limit. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas discussed the comments she has received from the public regarding short-term rentals and if these properties were complying with sex offender registration requirements and adverse impacts to property values. Councilmember Dunsworth questioned what type of a process would be followed for a person that requests a short-term rental license. Gozola reported the City could create a one page handout to license holders. He stated he rents short-term rentals at least once a year and he has never had a background check completed on him. Councilmember Allen stated standard hotels do not require a background check. He indicated he appreciated that the City would be tracking the short-term rental properties in the City and it was his hope these license holders would be gathering contact information from renters. He supported treating short-term rentals in the same or similar manners as hotels. Councilmember Abdulle commented he supported the City having minimal processes in place, versus overregulating short-term rentals. He explained the City would always be able to respond to complaints if house parties were held and licenses could be pulled. He questioned how the City would address a short-term rental that extended to 20 days. Gozola indicated this would be similar to the rental agreements multi-tenant buildings have with their tenants and was between the property and the renter. Further discussion ensued regarding the number of family members that could live in a house.