HomeMy WebLinkAbout041116 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OF APRIL 11, 2016
CALL TO ORDER
The Port Townsend City Council met in workshop session on April 11, 2016, in the
Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor Deborah Stinson called the meeting to
order at 6:30 p.m.
Councilmembers present at roll call were Pamela Adams, Robert Gray, Amy Howard,
Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Deborah Stinson with David Faber
excused.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney Steve
Gross, City Clerk Joanna Sanders, and Planning Director Lance Bailey .
SHORT-TERM RENTALS/VACATION RENTALS/TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS
CODE REVISIONS
City Manager David Timmons and City Attorney Steve Gross reviewed the current
status of the Resolution 15-035 Council adopted on vacation rentals and the changed
conditions since that resolution. They noted that with City regulations for owner-
occupied vacation rentals, if Council were to want to create regulations on non-owner
occupied vacation rentals, that matter would be referred from Council to the Planning
Commission to draft revisions.
Planning Director Lance Bailey showed a portion of a webinar from the City of
Durango, Colorado on "The Sharing Economy" as it relates to vacation rentals
(regulations, tourist destination economy, and impacts to housing, neighborhoods and
lodging).
Staff responded to Council questions about consolidating the chapters on vacation
rentals and explained cottage housing, boarding and lodging house definitions. When
asked about whether a conflict exists with off-street parking and loading and parking
standards, Bailey described different parking standards for tourist homes versus bed
and breakfasts.
Council then went through the changes proposed in the Ordinance with Mr. Bailey
and Mr. Gross describing the changes for consolidation. Discussion focused on the
following:
- Business licensing related to non-owner occupied versus owner-occupied, and
tourist home accommodations
- Review of the specific requirements, including equity between the two types of
rentals
- Planning Commission addressing zoning and development regulations
City Council Business Workshop Meeting April 11, 2016 Page 1 of 2
Staff recorded desired changes under the definitions for short-term rental versus
tourist home accommodations and agreed to look into the following:
- Optional language related to property transfers
- Needed changes to the business code on all short-term rentals requiring business
licensing.
- Review resolutions establishing code enforcement priorities
-Allowing unpermitted rentals to get a permit versus forcing illegally-operated rentals
to move to the end of the line in priority
- Public notice of short-term rentals in neighborhoods
Council comments and concerns about non-owner occupied short-term rentals were.
- Community Development and Land Use Committee did not want to allow at this time
- Anyone currently operating illegally should not be given a license
- Enforcement challenges in ensuring only local property management companies
- Limiting non-owner occupied to 25 versus 50 in the City
- Allowing non-owner occupied might improve housing capacity
- Consider a pilot program for locals and education on the purpose behind regulations
Tourist accommodations comments/concerns:
- Concern that a tourist home who rents out more than two rooms is not classified as
a tourist accommodation and no local management.
- Challenges with code enforcement, license revocation, and penalties.
- Insurance required for commercial activities. Staff noted that under conditional use
permits, insurance would be required.
- More promotion of tourist homes.
- Improve education and economy, but do not market exclusively for a tourist
economy.
Mr. Timmons suggested code enforcement for tax evasion versus enforcement on
zoning code violations. Staff agreed to bring forward to Council business license
regulations and would prepare a tasking resolution for the Planning
Commission related to short-term rentals. There was interest by Council in discussing
the housing study at a future workshop or meeting and in preparing a Speak Up
discussion on short-term rentals.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
Attest:
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Joanna Sanders, CMC
City Clerk
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