Council approves new short-term rental rules

Tue, May 5, 2009    to del.icio.us

Grand Haven City Council approved short-term rental rules Monday night, although they were much different than those advanced by the city's Planning Commission.

The City Council-approved rules allow short-term rental housing in certain districts of the city. The Planning Commission recommended allowing short-term rentals in some of those same zoning districts, but requiring owners of homes in the other districts to apply for special land use permits for short-term renting.

Councilwoman Geri McCaleb cast the only dissenting vote for the zoning ordinance revisions. She said the rules should protect neighborhoods from becoming saturated with seasonal rental properties.

"It looks like we're putting residents as second class to our visitors here," she said. "It's my feeling that we should put our residents first."

Mayor Roger Bergman said the changes are meant to ensure the safety of neighborhoods, not to drastically change where and how short-term rental properties are regulated.

"We have a pretty good ordinance now that enables us to take a look at all areas where there might be some abuses and just make sure we have safe housing — not only for people that stay there, but also people living in the neighborhoods where they're located," Bergman said.

During a work session Monday, City Council heard from city code enforcement officer Anthony Chandler, who said 422 of the city's 640 rental properties have now been inspected and certified. Of those 422 properties, 124 are registered as short-term rentals.

City Council members said these certifications go a long way toward ensuring safe rental properties.

"It looks like you're making a big difference in town and it shows," City Councilman Ed Nieuwenhuis told Chandler.

Bergman said the amended ordinance will also help keep rental properties safe by specifying registration rules and occupancy limits. The rules also increase penalties after a first warning from $50 for a first offense to $250, according to City Planner Kristin Keery.

As this issue has jumped back and forth between City Council and the Planning Commission over the last year, residents for and against short-term rentals have been vocal. Residents along the city's North Shore even put together a petition against allowing short-term rentals in their neighborhood.

Cornell Beukema, 20056 North Shore Drive, told City Council on Monday the city should recognize the incongruity between the north and south side of the river by applying a stricter set of short-term rental regulations.

"Rather than degrade the area, you should be proud to claim Grand Haven's North Shore as one of the most desirable areas of the city," he said.

City Council is scheduled to vote on the zoning ordinance changes a second and final time at its May 18 meeting.