The Hall County Commission is one step closer to approving a new ordinance that would govern short-term rentals of residential properties.
The commission gave approval to a first reading for the ordinance at its voting session Tuesday. Commissioners, however, say the details of the ordinance are still not set in stone.
According to Hall County Planning Director Srikanth Yamala, the ordinance would no longer allow short-term rentals to be held in Residential-I zoning, and would begin allowing it in Vacation Cottage zoned properties if approved in a public hearing. He said the ordinance would not change the tax rates that the property owners would pay, but it would require them to pay for notices to be sent to nearby residents.
It would also add regulations on things like outdoor parking and would implement a three strike system for violations that could result in the owner's business license being revoked.
Several citizens spoke at the voting session with differing thoughts on the initial draft of the ordinance.
"I am against vacation rentals in R-I subdivisions," Joyce Millwood said. "I live in an R-I subdivision. My house is on a very quiet, pleasant street right now and I have very good neighbors...I want to feel safe in my home and I want my neighbors to feel safe."
Others, like citizens John Rogers and Amanda Swafford, thought the ordinance put too much burden on the property owners.
"This is really regulatory overkill," Rogers said. "I really think that you guys need to put this thing on hold for at least a month."
"We're a growing community. We use a lot, there's a lot of incoming technology a new businesses that we can use and utilize," Swafford said. "We need to be opening and welcoming to those individuals who want to participate in this, and we shouldn't create an environment where there's situations where we're not allowed to participate."
After comments from the public, Hall County Commission Chairman Richard Higgins made a motion to make changes to the drafted ordinance. Those changes would allow for the approved Vacation Cottage zoned rentals to become permanent but restricted to no more than 15 guests and six vehicles with the option to request a variance from the county planning commission to allow additional guests and vehicles.
Higgins said the commission is hoping to hear more public input on the ordinance.
"We do try to listen. You know, we're trying to find a balance." Higgins said. "(short-term rentals are) nice, and they're convenient and it's great, you know, but we've got to respect the property owners next door to them."
Higgins's changes were approved unanimously by the rest of the commissioners. The ordinance will be up for a second hearing that would give it a final approval at the commission's March 22 meeting. A public hearing will also be held at that reading.
District Three Commissioner Scott Gibbs echoed Higgins' comments, saying the purpose of the ordinance is to protect county residents.
"When I go to Destin, Florida, I anticipate everything around me being a rental," Gibbs said. "This is my home and this is your home...I can promise you whatever little bit of revenue this produces, it's probably costing more to do this."
