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I'D LIKE TO CALL THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MARCH 24TH PUBLIC PLANNING COMMITTEE TO ORDER KRISTA.
WOULD YOU CALL THE ROLE-PLAYS? YES.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE MAYOR WAS HERE JUST A SECOND AGO.
THERE HE IS OVER THERE AND ALSO ALTERNATE TOM LINUX.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.
ARE THERE ANY CHANGES TO THE AGENDA? MOVE ADOPTION IS WRITTEN THERE A SECOND.
SECOND, ALL THOSE SIGNIFIED BY RAISING YOUR RIGHT HAND, PLEASE.
IT PROVES THAT THE ANNETTE AND THE MAN, AND HONESTLY, UH, APPROVAL OF, UM, I BEG YOUR PARDON APPEARANCE BY CITIZENS.
IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE ARE NO CITIZENS WHO SIGNED UP FOR A GENERAL COMMENT, BUT YOU MAY HAVE COMMENTS AFTER THE DISCUSSION CHRISTA, IS THAT COPACETIC WITH YOU? YES, SIR.
THEREFORE, UNFINISHED BUSINESS CONSIDERATION OF A PROPOSED ORDINANCE, 20 22 0 6 AMENDING TITLE 10 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE AT THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, BY ADDING CHAPTER TWO ENTITLED SHORT-TERM RENTALS.
UH, I'D LIKE TO MAKE JUST A COUPLE OF COMMENTS BEFORE WE GET STARTED.
AND, UM, I'VE BEEN ON COUNCIL FOR SIX YEARS NOW AND I HAVE NOT OBSERVED OR EXPERIENCED THE LEVEL OF DILIGENCE AND, UM, EXHAUSTIVE RESEARCH THAT STAFF HAS DONE LEADING UP TO TODAY.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO SAY THAT I'M NOT SURE THAT I'VE EVER BEEN A PART OF A ORDINANCE AMENDMENT THAT HAS GENERATED AS MUCH PUBLIC INPUT OVER A, AS LONG, A PERIOD OF TIME.
I THINK THAT'S FANTASTIC, BUT AS WE HONE IN ON LANGUAGE THAT WE WANT TO PASS ON TO COUNCIL, I'M REMINDED THAT THIS IS A CHALLENGE AND PROBABLY WE ARE NOT SATISFYING ANYONE INTO A HUNDRED PERCENT.
AND I THINK THAT RECOGNIZES THAT IN SOME CASES, AND IN MANY CASES ON THIS ORDINANCE THAT THERE ARE DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED INTERESTS.
AND THE CHALLENGE FOR OUR COUNCIL IS TO BALANCE THE COMMUNITY GOOD FOR THE INTEREST AGAINST THE INTEREST OF INDIVIDUALS AND THE BUSINESS ECONOMY.
SO I'M NOT UNDERESTIMATING AT ALL THE COMPLEXITY AND THE CHALLENGE OF DRAFTING AN ORDINANCE THAT DEALS WITH ALL THOSE SITUATIONS.
BUT I DO WANT TO, AGAIN, THANK THE PUBLIC FOR ITS INVOLVEMENT UP TO THIS POINT.
AND ALSO STAFF ARE THERE UNBELIEVABLE EFFORT TO BRING US TO THIS POINT.
AND PLEASE I'LL SECOND THOSE COMMENTS, MR. CHAIRMAN.
GOOD MORNING FOR THE RECORD AND SIREN, INTERIM COMMUNITY PLANNING MANAGER, HAPPY TO BE WITH YOU THIS MORNING AND THANK EVERYONE FOR ATTENDING.
THIS IS AS MR. AMES HAD AN UPDATE AS PART OF OUR SHORT-TERM RENTAL INITIATIVE THIS MORNING, I WILL RE REVIEW THE TWO RECOMMENDATIONS WE HAVE BEFORE THE COMMITTEE WILL REVIEW THE PROJECT PURPOSE STATEMENT AND TIMELINE AND THE REVISED DRAFT ORDINANCE, UH, WE'LL REVIEW THE EFFECTIVE DATE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ORDINANCE, A PROPOSED PERMIT FEE AND OTHER COMMUNITIES, PERMIT FEES.
I HAVE AN EXAMPLE OF A COMPLAINT PORTAL AND A COMPLAINT TRACKING SYSTEM.
AND THEN WE'LL RE WE'LL CONSIDER THE FIRST RECOMMENDATION.
ONCE WE'VE DISCUSSED ALL THAT, THEN WE HAVE THE OTHER ISSUES OF CONCERN, WHICH WE'VE CONSOLIDATED INTO TWO AREAS OF FOCUS INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKET AS A PRELIMINARY FRAMEWORK FOR THAT FIRST AREA OF FOCUS.
AND WE'LL CONSIDER THE SECOND RECOMMENDATION, WHICH IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT FIRST AREA OF FOCUS AND THAT FRAMEWORK, THEN I'LL REVIEW THE PRELIMINARY PLAN FOR THE SECOND AREA OF FOCUS AND
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THE NEXT STEPS IN THE PROJECT.WE'LL START BY TAKING A LOOK AT THE TWO RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WILL BE BEFORE YOU THIS MORNING, THE FIRST THAT TOWN COUNCIL REVIEW AND APPROVED A DRAFT ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR SHORT TERM RENTALS.
AND THE SECOND THAT THE COMMITTEE SUPPORT THE PRELIMINARY FRAMEWORK FOR THE EXAMINATION OF HIGH OCCUPANCY, SHORT TERM RENTALS AND HIGH FLOOR AREA RATIO, SINGLE FAMILY HOMES, OUR PROJECT PURPOSE STATEMENT HAS GUIDED THE PROJECT SO FAR.
WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF THE PROJECT.
THIS IS NOT THE END OF THIS PROJECT, BUT AS A RESORT AREA, WE HAVE NUMEROUS SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND THEY CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO OUR ECONOMY.
WE ALL UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE HOSPITALITY ECONOMY TO OUR ISLAND.
UM, BUT THE LACK OF AN ORDINANCE HAS LED TO AN IMBALANCE BETWEEN RESIDENTIAL RESORT DISTRICTS AND THE ELIMINATION OF SOME OF THOSE LONG-TERM SINGLE FAMILY NEIGHBORHOODS THAT GIVE OUR ISLAND CHARACTER AND PROVIDE A PLACE FOR OUR RESIDENTS TO LIVE.
SO WE HAVE PROPOSED TO CRAFT THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL ORDINANCE TO DEVELOP A FAIR, PREDICTABLE AND BALANCED APPROACH TO MANAGE THOSE IMPACTS ON OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, ECONOMY, HOUSING, STOCK, PUBLIC FACILITIES, AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR RESIDENTS AND THE EXPERIENCE OF OUR VISITORS.
SO AGAIN, WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF OUR PROJECT, NOT AT THE END, BUT THIS WAS OUR, THE SHOWS, THE INITIAL PROJECT PATH.
THIS INCLUDES THE ORDINANCE THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT TODAY.
YOU SEE HERE, WE'RE AT PROGRAM, UH, ADOPTION PHASE, WHICH INCLUDES ADOPTING THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE, CREATING AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, ISSUING A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS, FOR SOFTWARE, UH, DEVELOPING A COMMUNICATION PLAN, ALL OF WHICH I'LL DISCUSS LATER.
SO TO START WITH OUR FIRST RECOMMENDATION THAT TOWN COUNCIL REVIEW AND APPROVE THE DRAFT ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR SHORT-TERM RENTALS.
AND I WANT TO NOTE FROM THE START BEFORE WE REVIEW THE DRAFT ORDINANCE, THAT CURTIS CULTURE AND THE TOWN ATTORNEY HAS REVIEWED THE DRAFT ORDINANCE AS PRESENTED IN YOUR PACKET AND HAS APPROVED IT AND IS COMFORTABLE WITH ITS LEGAL VIABILITY.
SO IN REVIEWS, IN REVIEWING THE REVISED DRAFT ORDINANCE, I'D LIKE TO GIVE YOU A SUMMARY OF THE REVISIONS THAT WERE PRESENTED TO YOU AND RECOMMENDED BY YOU ON MARCH 9TH, FOLLOWED BY A SUMMARY OF THE TOWN ATTORNEYS OF TOWN ATTORNEYS, REVISION C ORDINANCE.
AND THEN I HAVE EACH SECTION OF THE DRAFT ORDINANCE IN THE PRESENTATION, SOME OF WHICH YOU MIGHT WANT TO SPEND MORE TIME OR LESS, JUST PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
AND WE HAVE A LOT TO GO THROUGH TODAY.
I DON'T WANT TO SLOW YOU DOWN.
THESE ARE THE CHANGES THAT WERE PRESENTED TO YOU AND RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMITTEE IN MARCH 9TH, THAT INCLUDES REMOVING THE REQUIREMENT TO POST A SIGN WITH CONTACT INFORMATION ON EACH PROPERTY.
UM, WE REMOVE THAT BECAUSE WE ARE PLANNING ON, AS I'D MENTIONED, ISSUING A CONTRACT WITH A SOFTWARE COMPANY THAT WILL PROVIDE A HOTLINE, UH, FOR COMPLAINTS.
UH, SO FOLKS WILL HAVE A SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT IF THEY HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT A SHORT-TERM RENTAL.
SO WE DON'T FEEL THE NEED TO HAVE THAT SIGN.
I'M SORRY, ANTHONY, ARE WE ASKING QUESTIONS OR MAKING COMMENTS GOING THROUGH? HOW WOULD YOU PREFER? I WOULD PREFER TO, UM, UH, HAVE THE PRESENTATION AND THEN ASK THE QUESTION.
THE SECOND IS TO REPLACE THE REQUIREMENT TO EITHER INSTALL A FENCE OR A POOL ALARM WITH THE REQUIREMENT TO NOTIFY PROSPECTIVE RENTERS OF THE AVAILABLE POOL SAFETY PRIOR TO BOOKING THE RENTALS.
UM, SIMILARLY TO ADD A REQUIREMENT TO NOTIFY RENTERS OF THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF VEHICLES ALLOWED TO BE PARKED ON SITE BEFORE THEY BOOK.
SO THEY CAN MAKE THAT CHOICE FOR THEMSELVES AND ENSURE THAT THEY CAN, UH, MEET THAT REQUIREMENT.
WE'VE REMOVED THE REQUIREMENT FOR PARKING PASSES AND CLARIFIED THAT THERE IS NO OFFSITE PARKING ALLOWED FOR SHORT TERM RENTALS, ALL VEHICLES ASSOCIATED WITH THAT RENTALS WITH THAT RENTAL HALF DEPART ONSITE, THE TOWN ATTORNEY REVISE THE DRAFT ORDINANCE THAT YOU REVIEWED ON MARCH 9TH, THE REVISED VERSION, YOUR PACKET IS THE FINAL VERSION APPROVED BY HIM.
UM, THOSE CHANGES INCLUDED REVISING THE DEFINITIONS, UH, SPECIFYING THE PROCEDURES RELATED TO SHORT-TERM RENTAL PERMITS, ADDING LANGUAGE REGARDING LICENSES, PERMITS, FEES, AND TAXES, ADDING LANGUAGE REGARDING VIOLATIONS AND ADDING SPECIFICATIONS ABOUT VIOLATIONS AND THE PROCESS FOR THE SUSPENSION REVOCATION OF SHORT-TERM RENTAL PERMITS AND THE APPEALS PROCESS.
AND AS WE GO THROUGH THE SECTIONS, I WANT TO MENTION THAT IN THE PACKET PRESENTATION, UH, IN THE INFORMATION, YOUR PACKET DIDN'T INCLUDE THE SECTIONS OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE THAT ARE REFERENCED IN THE ORDINANCE.
THOSE ARE INCLUDED IN MY PRESENTATION AND THE UPDATED PRESENTATION WILL BE AVAILABLE ONLINE FOR EVERYONE.
AND I APOLOGIZE FOR THE OMISSION.
AND IF I SEND YOU SOMETHING IN THE FUTURE, STAFF SEND SOMEBODY A FUTURE TO INCLUDE THOSE.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO DIG THROUGH THE MUNICIPAL CODE AND FIND THOSE STARTING WITH DEFINITIONS.
WE HAVE DEFINITIONS FOR OWNER PERSON WHO OWNS THE PROPERTY.
SHORT-TERM LESSEE, THE PERSON OCCUPYING IT FOR 30 DAYS OR LESS SHORT-TERM RENTAL PROPERTY.
THAT'S USED FOR SHORT TERM RENTAL
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SHORT TERM RENTAL AGENTS.I'M AN AUTHOR AUTHORIZED TO ACT ON THE OWNER'S BEHALF, CONDUCTED WITH A SHORT TERM RENTAL PROPERTY AND THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL PERMIT.
AND THAT'S OUR REQUIREMENT FOR AN ANNUAL PERMIT THAT THE OWNER MUST OBTAIN THAT'S FOR EACH PROPERTY THAT THEY ARE RENTING.
IF THEY OWN MULTIPLE PROPERTIES.
AND SHORT-TERM RENTAL PROPERTY ITSELF WAS JUST A RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY LOCATED IN TOWN LIMITS THAT IS OFFERED IN WHOLE AND PART FOR LESS THAN 30 DAYS.
MOVING ON TO THE PERMIT REQUIREMENTS.
UM, ANY OWNER WHO OFFERS A SHORT-TERM RENTAL PROPERTY MUST FIRST OBTAIN A PERMIT THAT PERMIT IS VALID FOR AN ENTIRE CALENDAR YEAR, FROM JANUARY 1ST, DECEMBER 31ST OR A FRACTION THEREOF.
UH, SO IF YOU APPLY FOR A PERMIT ON OCTOBER 1ST, THAT HAS AN ANNUAL PERMIT, YOU WON'T HAVE A PRORATED PERMIT FEE.
THAT'LL BE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THAT CALENDAR YEAR.
AND A PERMIT IS REQUIRED FOR EACH PROPERTY THAT YOU RENT OR THAT YOU OFFER FOR RENT.
THE PERMITS ARE NON-TRANSFERABLE, UH, THE CONTACT INFORMATION BE UPDATED, UH, BUT THEY CAN ONLY BE USED BY THAT PROPERTY OWNER AND FOR THAT PROPERTY.
AND IT'S THE DUTY OF THE OWNER TO NOTIFY THE TOWN OF ANY CHANGES TO THE CONTACT INFORMATION RELATED TO THAT PERMIT.
THE APPLICATION FEE WILL BE SET EACH YEAR BY TOWN COUNCIL AND THE ANNUAL BUDGET ORDINANCE.
I DON'T WANT TO NOTE THAT, UH, PARTICULARLY BECAUSE THE PACKET INFORMATION INCLUDES A PROPOSED FEE.
UM, THAT'S IF YOU VOTE ON THE ORDINANCE TODAY, YOU'RE NOT VOTING ON THE FEE, YOU'RE VOTING ON THE ORDINANCE.
THE FEE WILL BE SET LATER BY TOWN COUNCIL AS PART OF THE BUDGET ORDINANCE.
SO THAT CAN BE ADJUSTED YEAR TO YEAR, AND I'LL, I'LL SPEAK MORE ABOUT THE FEET LATER.
THE APPLICATION WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE AT ONLINE AND REVIEW.
THE APPLICATION WILL BE GRANTED UNLESS YOU FAILED TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ORDINANCE OR ANY OTHER TOWN ORDINANCE IRRELEVANT, RELEVANT STATE OR FEDERAL LAW.
THERE IS A SECTION LICENSED PERMITS, PAYMENTS AND FEES AND TAXES, WHICH STATES YOU, YOU NEED TO OBTAIN A VALID INCREMENTED, SHORT, VALID, AND CURRENT SHORT-TERM RENTAL PERMIT AND A BUSINESS LICENSE PRIOR TO OPERATING SHORT-TERM RENTAL.
AND YOU NEED TO PLAY AT PAY ALL APPLICABLE FEES AND TAXES ASSOCIATED WITH THAT TO OPERATE YOUR SHORT-TERM RENTAL.
MOVING INTO GENERAL REGULATIONS FOR SHORT-TERM RENTALS, UH, STARTING WITH THE FACT THAT THE, UH, OWNER OR THEIR AGENT SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO RESPOND TO A COMPLAINT OR MATTER RELATED TO THE OPERATION OF BEHAVIOR OF ANY LESSEE AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE AVAILABLE BY TELEPHONE AT ALL TIMES DURING THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL PERIOD AND CAPABLE OF LEAVING, UH, BEING PHYSICALLY PRESENT AT THE PROPERTY OR TAKING OTHER RESPONSIVE ACTION WITHIN AN HOUR OF NOTIFICATION.
AND I KNOW WE RECEIVED QUITE A BIT OF, UH, COMMENTS AND CONCERN ABOUT THAT REQUIREMENT.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE A CLARIFICATION OR A FEW CLARIFICATION'S FIRST, UH, EVERY COMPLAINT DOES NOT REQUIRE THE OWNER TO, UH, OR THE AGENT TO RESPOND TO THE PROPERTY.
UM, THE ORDINANCE STATES THAT THEY HAVE TO MAKE SOME SORT OF RESPONSE.
SO IF WE RECEIVE A COMPLAINT, THE OWNER OR THE AGENT NEEDS TO REACH OUT TO THE COMPLAINANT, OR EXCUSE ME TO THE LESSEE AND NOTIFY THEM OF THE COMPLAINT, SOME SORT OF RESPONSE OF ACTION.
NOW, IF THAT RESPONSE OF ACTION, ISN'T SOMETHING, FOR EXAMPLE, IF THERE IS NOT ENOUGH, IF THERE IS A, LET'S SAY A CONCERN ABOUT TRASH THAT COMES IN AND THE OWNER ISN'T ABLE TO RESOLVE THAT VIOLATION WITHIN AN HOUR, THAT'S NOT A VIOLATION OF THE ORDINANCE, THE OWNER CONTACTS, THE LESSEE AND SAYS, WHEN YOU GET BACK TO YOUR UNIT, YOU'RE OUT OF THE BEACH TODAY.
WHEN YOU GET BACK TO YOUR UNIT, MAKE SURE THAT YOU PULL IN THE TRASH CANS OR WHATEVER THE ISSUE IS.
AS LONG AS THE OWNER IS MAKING AN ATTEMPT TO NOTIFY THE RENTER OF THE VIOLATION WITHIN AN HOUR OF RECEIVING THE COMPLAINT, THEY'RE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE ORDINANCE, IDEALLY, UM, MOST VIOLATIONS WILL BE RESOLVED BETWEEN THE COMPLAINANT, THE OWNER AND THE LESSEE, AND THE TIME WOULDN'T BE INVOLVED NOW BECAUSE THE TOWN HAS THE PORTAL THAT TAKES THE COMPLAINTS.
UM, WE'LL HAVE A NOTIFICATION THAT IT WAS RESOLVED.
WE'LL SEE THAT, BUT THAT WOULDN'T BE, WOULD RESULT IN ANY FOR THEIR TOWN CODE ENFORCEMENT ACTION.
THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT COME IN, THAT IT WAS RESOLVED.
THAT'S NOT SUBJECT TO A VIOLATION.
THE ONLY VIOLATION WOULD BE IF THE OWNER DOESN'T RESPOND AT ALL TO A COMPLAINT, UM, THAT WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE TOWN FOLLOWING UP, FURTHER INVESTIGATING THE COMPLAINT IS THE COMPLAINT VALID, UH, WHAT THE NATURE OF THE COMPLAINT WAS THERE A REASON THE OWNER DIDN'T RESPOND, IF THERE'S A LACK OF ENTIRE LACK OF RESPONSE BY THE OWNER OR AGENT OR ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE THAT ISSUE, THAT WOULD BE SUBJECT TO FURTHER CODE ENFORCEMENT
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ACTION, INCLUDING A VIOLATION.AND JUST TO BE CLEAR, THE, THERE WERE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT A VIOLATION MEANS.
SO IF SOMEONE IS ISSUED A CITATION, UM, AND THAT INCLUDES RENTERS OR, UH, OUR OWNERS THAT THE INITIAL APPEARANCE OF THE CITATION IS REQUIRED WITHIN 30 DAYS, IT'S SIMILAR TO A TRAFFIC TICKET.
UM, YOU NEED TO RESPOND TO THAT CITATION.
YOU CAN SAY I'M GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY.
YOU'RE JUDGED BY THE COURT BASED ON THE EVIDENCE.
UM, AND THEN YOU'RE EITHER CONVICTED OR FOUND TO BE NOT GUILTY.
SO MOVING ON TO OTHER REGULATIONS, THE OWNER OR AGENT'S CONTACT INFORMATION NEEDS TO BE DISPLAYED IN THE UNIT SO THAT IF THE GUEST HAS A CONCERN, THEY CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH, UH, THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE, UH, REGARDING SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.
THERE SHOULD BE FULLY OPERATIONAL OR OPERABLE, EXCUSE ME, UM, SMOKING, UH, CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS IN EACH UNIT AND A FIRE EXTINGUISHER.
AND THERE SHOULD BE UNOBSTRUCTED ESCAPE ROUTES, UM, FROM THE UNIT AND JUST REGARDING SAFETY, I WOULD JUST WANT TO, UH, MENTION, THERE WAS A QUESTION ABOUT INSPECTIONS, UM, AND WE'LL LOOK AT IN THE FEE TABLE, THAT'S IN YOUR PACKET.
YOU CAN SEE SOME COMMUNITIES REQUIRE AN ANNUAL INSPECTION OF THE UNITS.
AND WHEN STAFF INITIALLY DISCUSSED THIS, UM, WE DISCUSSED WITH, UH, THE BUREAU OF FIRE PREVENTION AND THE FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT, WHAT THE, UH, THE IDEA OF ANNUAL INSPECTIONS, UM, CURRENTLY THEY DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO INSPECT, LET'S SAY APPROXIMATELY 10,000 UNITS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.
UM, WE DISCUSSED IT MOST OF THE WHILE THE REGULATIONS THAT, AND THE KIND OF ATTACK THAT WE'VE TAKEN AND RECOMMENDATIONS IS THAT THE OWNER VERIFIES THAT THEY'RE MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS.
SO THAT'S SIMILAR TO THE OWNER VERIFYING THAT THEY WILL NOTIFY GUESTS OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES.
THE OWNER WILL VERIFY THAT THEY WILL NOTIFY PROSPECTIVE RENTERS, THAT THEY ARE MEETING SAFETY OR WHAT THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT IS AVAILABLE.
UM, SO THAT'S IN LINE WITH WHAT THE TOWN IS RECOMMENDING MOST COMMUNITIES FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN IN MY RESEARCH REQUIRE AN AFFIDAVIT, NOT AN INSPECTION.
SOME COMMUNITIES DO REQUIRE AN INSPECTION IF THERE IS DIRECTION FROM THE COMMITTEE, UM, AND CONSENSUS FROM THE COMMITTEE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE US TO RESEARCH WHAT RESOURCES WILL BE REQUIRED, UH, FOR ANNUAL INSPECTIONS OF SHORT TERM RENTALS.
WE'D BE HAPPY TO DO THAT RESEARCH AND PRESENT THAT NUMBER TO YOU.
AND THAT WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE FEE REQUIREMENT.
THAT'S IN PART OF THE BUDGET ORDINANCE, UH, POINT G HERE.
I JUST WANT TO NOTE, UH, PREVIOUSLY, AND I MENTIONED THAT PREVIOUSLY, WE SAID THAT, UH, THERE NEEDS TO BE EITHER A FENCE OR A SCREEN ENCLOSURE OR A POOL ALARM, FOUR SWIMMING POOLS, OR HOT TUBS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO RENTERS.
WHAT WE INSTEAD ARE REQUIRING IS THAT THE OWNER NOTIFY, UH, PROSPECTIVE RENTERS OF THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT THAT'S AVAILABLE.
UH, THE ONE MODIFICATION WE MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER IS TO ADD THE WORDS, UH, IN WRITING SHALL NOTIFY IN WRITING OPERAS PERSPECTIVE, SHORT TERM LESSEES OF THE EXISTENCE OF ANY SWIMMING POOL OR HOT TUB.
UM, WE CAN ALSO INCLUDE THAT LANGUAGE IN THE ACTUAL PERMIT THAT FOLKS SUBMIT, UM, I THINK WOULD BE EQUALLY AS VALID, BUT THAT'S UP TO THE DETERMINATION OF THE COMMITTEE AND, UM, FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION, OKAY.
MOVING ON TO NOISE REGULATIONS.
UM, SO THE OWNER OR AGENTS WILL DISPLAY INFORMATION ABOUT THE TOWNS CODES IN THE UNIT STATING THAT IT'S UNLAWFUL TO UNREASONABLY DISTURB THE PEACE AND QUIET OF THOSE IN THEIR HOMES.
AND THAT THERE ARE QUIET HOURS BETWEEN 10:00 PM AND 7:00 AM.
UM, AND ALSO THAT THE OWNER AGENT SHALL COMMUNICATE IN WRITING THOSE PROVISIONS TO THE LESSEE PRIOR TO THE BOOKING.
SO THAT FOLKS ARE NOTIFIED THAT THE TOWN IS A, A HAS EXPECTATIONS FOR, UM, THE BENEFIT OF RESIDENTS AND OTHER GUESTS THAT THERE SHOULD BE PEACE AND QUIET, UH, DURING THE NIGHTTIME.
UM, I WANTED TO NOTE THAT I THINK THE TOWN IS CONSIDERING AS PART OF THE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND CERTAINLY FOR ENFORCEMENT NOTIFYING OWNERS AND AGENTS OF PRODUCTS THAT ARE AVAILABLE THAT MAY BE HELPFUL IN, IN COMPLYING WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS.
UM, THERE'S, UH, A COMPANY CALLED NOISE AWARE, UH, WHICH IS SIMILAR, I THINK, TO KIND OF AN ALEXA TYPE PRODUCT THAT MONITORS NOISE LEVELS.
YOU CAN HAVE IT INSIDE THE RENTAL OR OUTSIDE THE RENTAL, AND YOU CAN MEASURE DECIBEL LEVELS.
UM, AND IF IT REACHES A CERTAIN DECIBEL, THE OWNER WILL BE NOTIFIED, THE OTHER THEN CAN CONTACT THE RENTER AND SAY, IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE KIND OF HAVING A PARTY IN THE HOUSE.
UM, THERE ARE OTHER COMMUNITIES I THINK THAT ARE ONE COMMUNITY IN FLORIDA THAT IS REQUIRING THAT I WOULD NOT SUGGEST THAT WE REQUIRE THAT.
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UM, BUT THERE'S ANOTHER COMMUNITY, UH, BIG BEAR, CALIFORNIA THAT OFFERS A, A DISCOUNT ON THE SHORT TERM RENTAL PERMIT FEE.NOW, BOTH OF THESE ARE VERY NEW AT THE PRODUCTS ARE NEW THEMSELVES AND, AND THOSE, UM, THAT DISCOUNT IS A NEW PR UH, PROGRAM.
SO STAFF WOULD WANT TO INVESTIGATE THAT, TO SEE IF IT'S SUCCESSFUL, TO SEE HOW THAT'S ADMINISTERED BEFORE MAKING A RECOMMENDATION ABOUT THAT IN THE FUTURE, BUT THAT WOULDN'T BE A REQUIREMENT, BUT MORE TO THE POINT IN ENFORCEMENT, IF THERE IS AN ISSUE WHERE OWNERS ARE HAVING TROUBLE, KEEPING, YOU KNOW, HAVING REPEATED GUESTS OR NOISY CODE ENFORCEMENT CAN MENTION, WHERE ARE YOU AWARE OF THESE PRODUCTS? YOU KNOW, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THESE FOLKS, BUT WE WOULDN'T RECOMMEND A SPECIFIC PRODUCT, BUT WE WOULD MAKE THEM AWARE OF THE PRODUCTS.
MOVING ON TO TRASH REGULATIONS, THE OWNER AND THE AGENT HAS TO MAINTAIN A DESIGNATED TRASH STORAGE AREA THAT IS SPENCER SCREENED FROM VIEW OF PUBLIC STREETS IN THE PROPERTY.
AND THEY HAVE TO DISPLAY INSTRUCTIONS FOR TRASH DISPOSAL.
SO THAT FOLKS KNOW HERE'S WHERE YOU PUT YOUR TRASH.
UM, THE PICKUP TIMES, UH, MAKE SURE THAT THEY BRING THE TRASH CANS IN, UM, AFTER THEY'VE BEEN EMPTIED AND MAKE SURE THEY'RE SECURE FROM, UH, PES REGARDING PARKING REGULATIONS.
AN IMPORTANT NOTE IS THAT A LOT OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS ON THE ISLAND ARE LOCATED IN COMMUNITIES THAT OFFER A 24 HOUR PRIVATE SECURITY PERSONNEL THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO RESOLVE, UH, PARKING COMPLAINTS AND VIOLATIONS.
UH, FOR THOSE PROPERTIES, THESE, THE FOLLOWING STANDARDS ARE NOT APPLICABLE OKAY.
SO THE OWNER WOULD THE OWNER, WHEN THEY APPLY FOR SHORT TERM RENTAL PERMIT WOULD INDICATE THE ADDRESS OF THE PROPERTY AND WHETHER THEY'RE LOCATED IN ONE OF THOSE COMMUNITIES.
UM, YOU KNOW, IF NOT LOCATED IN ONE OF THOSE COMMUNITIES THAT WOULD INDICATE THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES ALLOWED TO BE PARKED ON THE PREMISES.
AND THAT'S BASED ON THE NUMBER OF, UH, IMPROVED PARKING SPACES THAT THEY HAVE THAT MEET LMO STANDARDS.
UH, ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WE HAVE IS WHAT WHAT'S TO PREVENT SOMEONE FROM PAVING THEIR ENTIRE FRONT YARD AND JUST HAVING A PARKING LOT EFFECTIVELY IN THEIR HOUSE.
WELL, WE STILL HAVE LMO REQUIREMENTS FOR PERVIOUS AND IMPERVIOUS SURFACES AND BUFFERS, UM, WHETHER YOU'RE IN AN OVERLAY DISTRICT OR NOT, UM, THAT THAT WILL LIMIT TO SOME EXTENT, THE AMOUNT OF PARKING THAT YOU CAN PUT IT ON A SITE.
NOW, SOME FOLKS MAY PUT PARKING IN AN AREA THAT OTHER FOLKS MAY NOT AGREE WITH, BUT THAT'S ALSO TRUE FOR OWNER OCCUPIED PROPERTIES.
IN ANY CASE, ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS, THE LMO ARE REQUIRED TO BE MET.
AND THAT'S NOTED IN THE SECTION OF THE ORDINANCE, THE OWNER MUST NOTIFY ALL PROSPECTIVE RENTERS OF THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF VEHICLES PERMITTED ON THE PROPERTY BEFORE THEY RUN.
SO HOPEFULLY THIS WILL ELIMINATE THE CONFUSION OF FOLKS SHOWING UP WITH TWO EXTRA VEHICLES THAT THERE'S NO ROOM FOR.
AND AGAIN, WE REMOVED THE REQUIREMENT FOR A PARKING PASS SYSTEM.
UM, BUT WE DID ELIMINATE OR SPECIFY THAT ALL VEHICLES MUST BE PARKED ONSITE.
UH, YOU CAN'T HAVE ANY OFF SITE PARKING FOR THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS INCLUDE THE REQUIREMENT TO DISPLAY ANY TOWN PROVIDED OUTREACH AWARENESS MATERIALS RELATED TO THE TOWN REQUIREMENTS.
UM, THIS WILL INCLUDE, UH, EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS.
SO NOT JUST MATERIALS ABOUT THE, UH, REGULATIONS, BUT WELCOME TO THE ISLAND.
ARE YOU AWARE OF, YOU KNOW, SEA TURTLES LIGHTS OUT FOR SEA TURTLES, UH, ANY KIND OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT WE WANT TO HAVE? THAT'S NOT JUST WELCOMING, UM, BUT, OR EXCUSE ME, NOT JUST ABOUT REQUIREMENTS, BUT ALSO WELCOMING.
AND WE'LL PROVIDE THAT IN A VARIETY OF OPTIONS.
YOU KNOW, SOME FOLKS, A DESIRE TO HAVE A BOOKLET WITH ALL OF THE MATERIALS IN ONE PLACE, YOU KNOW, WE'LL PROVIDE AS MANY PRODUCTS AS, AS WE, UH, CAN TO PROVIDE OPTIONS FOR FOLKS AND POINT B.
UM, THE PROPERTY MUST BE MADE, MAINTAINED AND INSPECTED TO ENSURE CONTINUED COMPLIANCE WITH ALL OF THESE REGULATIONS.
NONE OF THESE REGULATIONS, UH, WOULD, UH, OVERRIDE PRIVATE COVENANTS THAT ARE APPLICABLE TO THOSE PROPERTIES.
IT'S A VIOLATION OF THE ORDINANCE TO, UH, LEASE OR ADVERTISE A PROPERTY FOR SHORT-TERM RENTAL WITHOUT FIRST COMPLYING WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CHAPTER, WHICH INCLUDES OBTAINING A SHORT-TERM RENTAL PERMIT AND A BUSINESS LICENSE, AND ALL THE OTHER REGULATIONS.
IT IS A VIOLATION TO FAIL, TO COMPLY WITH ANY REQUIREMENT OF THE CHAPTER AND VIOLATIONS OF THE CHAPTER ARE SUBJECT TO THOSE SECTIONS OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE, WHICH I'LL REVIEW JUST NOW, OKAY.
MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 1, 5, 10, OR, UH, REGARDS TO GENERAL PENALTIES, UM, WHICH STATES WHAT THE FINE IS FOR A VIOLATION
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OF THE ORDINANCE, WHICH IS NOT TO EXCEED $500 OR IMPRISONMENT, WHICH WE WOULD NOT PURSUE.WE WOULD PURSUE A FINE FURTHER IN THIS CODE.
THERE IS A INITIAL PENALTY IMPOSED FOR VIOLATION.
THE TOWN SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO PURSUE ANY LEGAL REMEDY AVAILABLE TO CORRECT IT.
AND EACH DAY THE VIOLATION OCCURS WILL CONSTITUTE A SEPARATE OFFENSE.
THE SECTION IS, AND AGAIN, THESE ARE EXISTING SECTIONS AND THEY MISSPELL CODE THEY'RE JUST REFERENCED IN THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE.
SO THIS SECTION IS IN THE PREVIOUS SECTION OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING BUSINESS LICENSES.
SO THE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF BUSINESS LICENSES, SO THE BUSINESS LICENSE COULD BE SUSPENDED OR REVOKED.
IF THE OFFICIALS DETERMINES THE LICENSE HAD, HAS BEEN MISTAKENLY OR PROPERLY ISSUED, IF THE LICENSEE HAS BREACHED ANY CONDITION UPON WHICH THE LICENSE WAS ISSUED OR FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE CHAPTER, UM, IT WAS OBTAINED THROUGH FRAUD, MISREPRESENTATION, UH, EVASION OR SUPPRESSION.
THE LICENSEE HAS BEEN CONVICTED WITHIN THE PREVIOUS 10 YEARS OF AN OFFENSE UNDER A LOT ORDINANCE REGULATING BUSINESS, A CRIME INVOLVING DISHONEST CONDUCT, MORAL TURPITUDE RELATED TO A BUSINESS OR SUBJECT OF A BUSINESS OR AN UNLAWFUL SALE OF MERCHANDISE OR PROHIBITED GOODS.
AND THE LICENSEE IS ENGAGED IN AN UNLAWFUL ACTIVITY OR NUISANCE RELATED TO THE BUSINESS OR THEY'RE DELINQUENT IN THEIR PAYMENTS, UH, TO THE MUNICIPALITY OF ANY TAX OR FEE.
UM, AGAIN, WE WOULD GIVE WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE LICENSEE, A PERSON IN CONTROL OF THE BUSINESS, UH, OR THE RENTAL IN THIS CASE, UM, BY MAIL NOTIFYING THEM THAT THEY ARE IN VIOLATION AND WORK WITH THEM TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE ORDINANCE BEFORE MOVING FORWARD WITH ANY PENALTIES.
UM, IF A BUSINESS LICENSE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, AND THIS IS REPEATED IN THE DRAFT ORDINANCE, WE'LL SEE LATER, UM, IT WILL SAVE THE TIME AND PLACE AT WHICH A HEARING HAS TO BE HELD AND CONTAIN A BRIEF SET STATEMENT OF THE REASONS WHY, UH, THE BUSINESS LICENSE IS BEING SPENT OR A VOTE AND A COPY OF THIS CHAPTER.
AN ADDITIONAL SECTION OF MUNICIPAL CODE THAT'S REFERENCED IN THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE IS 9 1, 1 11.
IT'S UNLAWFUL TO DO ANY ACT WHICH OFFENDS ENDANGERS, INJURES, OR IMPAIRS THE HEALTH, SAFETY LIFE OF ANY INDIVIDUAL.
AND THAT ANY SUCH ACT IS HEREBY DECLARED A NUISANCE.
SO TO CLARIFY, THAT'S THE DEFINITION OF A NUISANCE WE'RE TURNING BACK TO THE DRAFT ORDINANCE, THE SUSPENSION REVOCATION OF THE SHORT TERM RENTAL PERMIT.
UM, THIS MIRRORS YOU'LL SEE SOME OF THE LANGUAGE THAT WE JUST SAW.
UM, THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL PERMIT WAS MISTAKENLY OR PROPERLY ISSUED THE OWNER BREACHED A CONDITION OF THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL PERMIT.
IT WAS OBTAINED THROUGH FRAUD, MISREPRESENTATION OF ALZHEIMER'S LEADING STATEMENT.
THE UNIT WAS DELINQUENT IN PAYMENT, UH, OF ANY TAXES OR FEES.
THE OPERATION HAS BEEN DECLARED A NUISANCE.
AND AGAIN, WE JUST HEARD THE DEFINITION OF A NUISANCE AND THE OWNER'S BEEN CONVICTED OF TWO OR MORE VIOLATIONS OF THIS CHAPTER IN A 12 MONTH PERIOD.
SO THAT WOULD LEAD TO THE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF SHORT-TERM RENTAL PERMIT, IF DETERMINED BY TOWN STAFF AND TOWN COUNCIL.
SO IN THAT CASE, THE TOWN WOULD GIVE WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE OWNER THAT THE PERMIT IS SUSPENDED OR MAY BE REVOKED PENDING A HEARING BEFORE TOWN COUNCIL.
UM, SHE'LL STAY AT THE TIME AND PLACE AT THE LOCATION OF THE HEARING.
AND THE WRITTEN NOTICE SHOULD BE DELIVERED TO THE OWNER, UH, BY CERTIFIED MAIL RETURN RECEIPT AND IT'S DELIVERED WHEN THAT RETURN RECEIPT IS SIGNED FOR BY THE OWNER OR THEIR AGENT REGARDING THE HEARING.
THE HEARING WILL BE HELD BY TOWN COUNCIL WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE DELIVERY OF THAT NOTICE.
UM, IT WOULD BE HELD DURING A REGULAR SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNCIL AND AT THE HEARING, THE PARTIES SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE REPRESENTED BY COUNCIL TO PRESENT TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE AND TO CROSS EXAMINE WITNESSES.
THE RULES OF EVIDENCE AND PROCEDURE PRESCRIBED BY TOWN COUNCIL SHOULD GOVERN THE HEARING.
AND FOLLOWING THAT HEARING TOWN COUNCIL BY MAJORITY VOTE SHALL RENDER A DECISION SETTING OUT ITS FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS.
AND THAT'S THE FINAL OF TOWN COUNCIL THAT SINGLE HEARING, UH, BEFORE COUNCIL ON THE REVOCATION OF A BUSINESS LICENSE AND THAT WRITTEN NOTICE IS DELIVERED TO THE OWNER, AND THAT CAN BE APPEALED, UM, IN THE SAME WAY THAT APPEALS ARE MADE FROM OTHER DECISIONS AND THAT'S TO CIRCUIT COURT.
IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT, UH, CURTIS OR JOSH, BE HAPPY TO DESCRIBE
[00:30:01]
THAT PROCESS FOR YOU OKAY.THE EFFECTIVE DATE AND IMPLEMENTATION.
UM, THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE ORDINANCE IS JANUARY 1ST, 2023.
SO THAT GIVES STAFF ENOUGH TIME TO DEVELOP AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN TO ENACT THE ORDINANCE THAT INCLUDES REQUESTING FUNDING AND THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023, WHICH I MENTIONED IT WAS THE PERMIT FEE, CREATING CONTRACTS WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS, UM, INSTALLING AND TESTING A SOFTWARE PACKAGE AND EXECUTING A COMMUNICATION CODE ENFORCEMENT AND EDUCATION PLAN THAT ALSO GIVES OWNERS AND AGENTS OUR RUNWAY TO COMPLY WITH THE ORDINANCE TO MAKE SURE THAT IF THEY OWN A UNIT THAT ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ORDINANCE OF MAT, AND IT GIVES US TIME TO EDUCATE OWNERS ABOUT WHAT THOSE REQUIREMENTS ARE REGARDING THE PROPOSED PERMIT FEE.
WE RECOMMEND A $250 ANNUAL FEE FOR SHORT-TERM RENTAL PERMITS AND STAFF IN FINANCE AND THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT HAVE RESEARCHED AND ARE CONFIDENT THAT THIS FEE WILL COVER ALL THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH IDENTIFYING SHORT TERM RENTAL PROPERTIES, UH, COLLECTING DATA ON THEIR LOCATIONS AND TRENDS OVER TIME, WHICH WILL PROVIDE US FURTHER INFORMATION FOR THE SECOND, UH, PART OF THE, UH, INITIATIVE, WHICH I'LL DESCRIBE LATER, ENSURING COMPLIANCE WITH PERMITTING AND BUSINESS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS AND TAX REMITTANCE AND RECEIVING RECORDING AND RESOLVING VIOLATIONS.
SO IN A PRACTICAL SENSE, WE'RE LOOKING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE SUFFICIENT STAFF ON THE REGISTRATION PORTION.
UH, WE'VE GOT 10,000 PROPERTIES.
UM, WE'VE GOT SOME FOLKS WHO ARE LESS COMFORTABLE WITH COMPUTERS THAN OTHERS.
SO WE NEED TO BE SURE THAT THEY HAVE ENOUGH SERVICES TO UNDERSTAND THAT A PERMIT IS REQUIRED, HOW THEY, UH, COMPLY WITH THE PERMIT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY DON'T HAVE INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.
UH, WE'LL HAVE THE SOFTWARE RELATED TO THIS, AND THEN ON THE ENFORCEMENT AND ADDITIONAL CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO RESOLVE ANY ISSUES THAT COME UP.
SO WE'VE DONE A GOOD AMOUNT OF RESEARCH ON THIS.
AGAIN, WE FEEL THAT FEE WILL COVER ALL THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT THAT MAY VARY VERY SLIGHTLY FROM YEAR TO YEAR, UM, WITH INFLATION OR THINGS LIKE THAT.
BUT, UH, THAT ANNUAL FEE AGAIN WILL BE A SET EACH YEAR BY TOWN COUNCIL DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS BASED ON ADVICE BY STAFF.
AND AGAIN, IF YOU, YOU KNOW, BY ADVICE OF THE COMMITTEE, IF YOU WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH, UH, ANNUAL INSPECTIONS OF EACH OF THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL PERMITS, WE CAN DO ADDITIONAL RESEARCH AND PROVIDE WHAT, WHAT THE COST ASSOCIATED THAT WOULD BE, AND PRESENT THAT TO YOU.
AS PART OF THAT BUDGET REQUEST, LOOKING AT OTHER COMMUNITIES, PERMIT FEES, YOU CAN SEE MOST OF THEM ARE VALID FOR A YEAR.
UH, WE LOOKED AT COMMUNITIES, UH, REGIONALLY IN A, IN A FEW NATIONALLY.
UM, THERE'S SOME VARIATION, BUT THE AVERAGE FOR THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL PERMIT FEE IS $245.
SO WE WERE JUST SLIGHTLY ABOVE AVERAGE FOR THESE OTHER COMMUNITIES.
UH, IN YOUR PACKET, THERE WAS AN EXAMPLE OF A COMPLAINT PORTAL, UH, WHICH I CAN BRING UP AND RUN THROUGH.
I KNOW THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
UM, I I'D BE HAPPY TO GO THROUGH THAT OR SKIP AHEAD.
AND WE, THERE'S A COMPLAINT TRACKING SYSTEM THAT WE WOULD HAVE ATTACHMENT E AND YOUR MEETING PACKET SHOWS WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE ON THE, ON THE TOWN SIDE AND ALL THE INFORMATION THAT WE RECORDED.
UM, DATE AND TIME OF, UH, THE INFORMATION RECORDING OF THE CALL, ADDRESS, THE SUBJECT PROPERTY CATEGORY, THE COMPLAINT, ALL THAT INFORMATION WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THE TOWN AND RECORDED OVER TIME SO THAT WE KNOW, YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S AN ISSUE WITH A PROPERTY, WE'LL HAVE A RECORD OF THAT, WE'LL HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE.
UM, WE CAN ALSO MAKE SURE THAT COMPLAINTS ARE VALID, THAT PEOPLE AREN'T USING THE SYSTEM TO HARASS THEIR NEIGHBORS OR A CERTAIN PROPERTY OWNER.
UM, WE CAN ALSO PUT THAT INFORMATION ON A MAP FOR YOU SO THAT YOU CAN LOOK AT IT AND SEE WHERE THE HEAT MAPS OF VIOLATIONS.
UM, THAT PART OF THE, UH, SOFTWARE PACKAGE ALSO INCLUDES, AS I MENTIONED, JUST TRACKING WHERE SHORT-TERM RENTALS ARE OVER TIME, THEIR LOCATION, SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SOME DECISIONS ABOUT PHASE TWO.
SO YOU CAN SEE A VISUAL WHAT THAT SYSTEM LOOKS LIKE, WHICH IS IN YOUR PACKET.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS THAT I CAN ANSWER FOR YOU ABOUT THE FIRST RECOMMENDATION? UM, I'M SURE THERE ARE GLENN, WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEAD OFF? SURE.
THANK YOU, ANNE, FOR AN OUTSTANDING JOB IN LEADING THIS TEAM AND GETTING US TO THIS POINT, IT'S CLEAR TO ME THAT THERE'S BEEN A GREAT DEAL OF RESEARCH.
THAT'S BEEN UNDERTAKEN BY THE TOWN STAFF, STUDYING THE ORDINANCES OF OTHER COMMUNITIES, THE SUCCESSES AND FAILURES OF THOSE OTHER COMMUNITIES.
AND I THINK THAT WE ARE NOW IN TO THE POINT
[00:35:01]
WHERE WE NEED TO BRING SOMETHING FORWARD.I DON'T THINK THAT THIS WILL BE THE FINAL ITERATION OF THIS OVER TIME.
I SUSPECT AFTER A YEAR OF TWO, WE WILL LEARN THAT WE NEED TO DO MORE THINGS OR DO THINGS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY.
UM, ONE OF THE CONCERNS THAT WE'VE HEARD FROM THE MANAGEMENT COMPANIES HAS TO DO WITH QUOTE, ENSURING THAT PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF, UH, THE VARIOUS REGULATIONS AND SO FORTH.
AND I HAVE A SUGGESTION, UM, THAT COULD IMPLEMENTED AFTER THIS MEETING TODAY AND BROUGHT FORWARD AS PART OF THE FULL COUNCIL.
AND THAT IS THAT WE CREATE A FORM THAT WOULD BE USED AS AN ADDENDUM TO ANY LEASE AGREEMENT.
AND THAT FORM WOULD LIST THE VARIOUS REQUIREMENTS OF THE ORDINANCE HAVING TO DO WITH DISCLOSURES, POOL, SAFETY, EQUIPMENT, PARKING REGULATIONS, ET CETERA.
BUT THEN IN ORDER TO QUOTE, ENSURE THAT PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF IT, WE COULD REQUIRE THAT THE TENANT ACTUALLY SIGN THAT FORM SAYING, UH, I HAVE READ THIS, I UNDERSTAND THESE REGULATIONS THAT MAY GAIN SOME MORE TEETH IN THIS FOR OUR BENEFIT, BUT I DO NOT WANT TO DELAY, UH, THE PROCESS OF THIS MOVING FORWARD.
I THINK WE NEED SOME CLARIFICATION ON WHAT RESPONSE WITHIN ONE HOUR MEANS.
UM, YOU STATED THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE AGENT OR THE OWNER AS THE CASE MAY BE, HAS TO APPEAR ON THE SITE, BUT FILL THAT IN FOR US A LITTLE BIT.
SO WE CAN UNDERSTAND THAT BETTER.
THE, UM, THE SYSTEMS THAT ARE SET UP THE PORTAL AND THE HOTLINE, UM, WHEN THEY RECEIVE A COMPLAINT, WHAT HAPPENS IS THE OPERATOR OF THE THIRD PARTY CONTRACTOR, UH, CONTACTS BY PHONE, BY TEXT OR BY CALL THE OWNER AGENT THAT'S LISTED ON THE SHORT TERM RENTAL PERMIT.
THERE IS A COMPLAINT, THE NATURE OF THE COMPLAINT.
AND AT THAT POINT, THE OWNER IS RESPONSIBLE OR THE AGENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CONTACT FIRST, CONTACTING THE, UH, GUESTS OR RENTER AND SAYING, THIS IS THE ISSUE.
AND THAT CAN BE BY TEXT OR BY PHONE.
THIS IS THE ISSUE IT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED.
UM, NOW THE EXPECTATION IS THAT THAT THE CONTACT WILL HAPPEN WITHIN AN HOUR OF RECEIVING THAT CALL.
UM, THERE MAY BE SOME SYSTEMS IN PLACE.
UH, FOLKS MAY WANT TO PUT SOME BACKUP SYSTEMS IN PLACE IN CASE THEY'RE AN OWNER IN CHARGE OF, UH, RESPONDING.
THEY DON'T WANT TO HIRE A PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY.
UM, I WAS JUST LOOKING AT A FORM TODAY WHERE THERE ARE MULTIPLE CONTACTS THERE, BACKUP CONTACTS.
SO IF YOU'RE TRAVELING BETWEEN THESE DATES, YOU CAN HAVE SOMEONE ELSE RESPOND WITHIN AN HOUR TO THE COMPLAINT.
UM, SO THERE ARE OPTIONS FOR FOLKS.
UH, WE REALIZED THAT ESPECIALLY A PHYSICAL RESPONSE, YOU KNOW, DURING SUMMER TRAFFIC OR FOR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY, THAT HAS ONLY SO MANY EMPLOYEES, IT MAY NOT BE FEASIBLE TO HAVE A PHYSICAL RESPONSE WITHIN AN HOUR, BUT THAT'S THE EXPECTATION.
NOW IT MAY NOT BE MET EVERY TIME, AND WE'RE CERTAINLY NOT ADVOCATING THAT CODE ENFORCEMENT, RIGHT.
A CITATION OR VIOLATION THAT EACH TIME THAT HOUR IS NOT MET, BUT THAT IS THE EXPECTATION, UH, UNDERSTAND WHAT THE EXPECTATIONS ARE.
BUT I ALSO READ THE ORDINANCE AND IT APPEARS TO REQUIRE THE AVAILABILITY WITHIN AN HOUR.
AND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS THAT NO, THE OWNER AGENT DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO APPEAR IN AN HOUR, BUT WE HAVEN'T COME UP WITH WHAT THE CONDITIONS ARE THAT WOULD REQUIRE APPEARANCE WITHIN AN HOUR OR WHAT THE PRELIMINARY STEPS MIGHT BE, THAT A TENANT THAT OR AN OWNER OR A MANAGER MIGHT USE SHORT OF HAVING A PHYSICAL APPEARANCE.
SO I THINK WE NEED TO COME UP.
I KNOW THAT IT'S CLEAR IN YOUR MIND, BUT TO A THIRD PARTY TO SOMEONE ELSE, IT MAY NOT BE SO CLEAR.
AND WE GET DOWN TO A LITERAL READING OF THE ORDINANCE.
IT APPEARS TO COME CLOSER TO A REQUIRING THAT THE COMPLAINT PORTAL THAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO, THAT'S A PIECE OF SOFTWARE, AS I UNDERSTAND IT.
UM, AND EXPLAINED TO US AGAIN A LITTLE BIT HOW THAT WORKS.
UM, THIS IS, UH, HOPEFULLY THIS WILL GO THROUGH FOR ME, THIS IS A SUMMIT COUNTY, COLORADO.
SO AS PART OF THEIR, YOU CAN SEE PART OF THEIR SHORT-TERM RENTAL PAGE.
THIS IS SPECIFICALLY A PAGE ABOUT COMPLAINTS.
UM, WE WON'T NECESSARILY USE THIS TYPE OF SYSTEM, UH, OR THE, THE SOFTWARE PROVIDER THAT THEY USE, BUT I THINK THEY HAVE A PRETTY ROBUST SYSTEM.
SO THEY HAVE A COMPLAINT HOTLINE, UM, WILL IT JUST STAFF 24 7
[00:40:01]
BY THE CONTRACTOR.AND THEN YOU CAN ALSO SUBMIT A COMPLAINT ONLINE.
UM, AND WE CAN INCLUDE, FOR EXAMPLE, A LINK TO THIS ON THE, MY HHI APP, FOR EXAMPLE, UH, TO MAKE IT EASY.
UM, BUT YOU PICK THE TYPE OF VIOLATION.
UM, SO LET'S SAY IT'S A LOUD PARTY.
UM, YOU WOULD ENTER YOUR LOCATION.
SO IF THERE'S A UNIT NUMBER, IF YOU HAVE A MULTI UNIT BUILDING, YOU KNOW, THE NUMBER YOU CAN ENTER IT, UM, DESCRIBE THE ISSUE.
AND IF NO ONE, YOU CAN PUT THE LINK TO THE LISTING, LET'S SEE, OH, LET'S SEE IF I CAN DO THAT.
UM, YOU CAN UPLOAD VIDEOS, PHOTOS, AUDIO RECORDINGS OF THE VIOLATION, ENTER YOUR NAME AND A PHONE NUMBER.
UM, YOU CAN DECIDE WHETHER IT'S USED IN COURT OR NOT.
IF YES, THERE'S AN AFFIDAVIT THAT YOU SIGN, UH, LEGALLY, AND THEN USING YOUR SIGNATURE, IF NOT, YOU CAN PROCEED AND THEY'LL SAY, THANK YOU.
AND THAT GOES INTO THE SYSTEM THAT WE SAW.
I THINK WHAT I'M ASKING IS THIS IS ALL BETWEEN THE COMPLAINING PARTY, UM, AND THE SOFTWARE AGENT, IF YOU WILL.
AND THEN IT ALSO WOULD BE MAKING CONTACT WITH THE TENANT THAT IS IN THE PROPERTY AT THAT TIME.
IS THAT CORRECT? IT MAKES CONTACT WITH THE OWNER, IT'S THE OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE LESSEE OR THE TENANT, OR ALL RIGHT.
WHAT DOES THE TOWN KNOW WHY THIS IS GOING ON? THE TOWN IS NOTIFIED, UM, IN THIS SYSTEM, A, UH, A RECORD REGENERATED IN THE TOWN SYSTEM.
NOW WE WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO THAT AND WE COULD SEE, YOU KNOW, THIS IS MOVING FORWARD.
WE HAD A CALL CALL HER NAME, CALL NUMBER REPORTED, ADDRESS REPORTED ISSUE, CALLER REQUESTS, NOTIFICATION, AND THEN WEATHER KNOWS THEM, WHETHER IT WAS RESOLVED, WE CAN SEE ALL OF THAT.
WE CAN SEE THE INFORMATION AND WE CAN EVEN BE NOTIFIED OF THE INFORMATION, BUT WE DON'T NEED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE INFORMATION.
SO THAT WOULD BE OUR ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS THAT WOULD HAVE FIRST CONTACT WITH THAT.
UM, I AM VERY PLEASED ABOUT THE VIOLATION AND HEARING REQUIREMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN INSERTED HERE.
I THINK IT MAKES IT VERY CLEAR WHAT WILL HAPPEN, AND IT MEANS THAT THERE WILL BE, UM, A RESOLUTION OF THESE COMPLAINTS PRETTY QUICKLY.
AND I THINK THAT IS EXCELLENT.
IS THERE, UM, IN MY VIEW ON AWFUL LOT OF THIS WORK HAS BEEN CREATED BY A FEW BAD APPLES AND THAT'S MOST UNFORTUNATE.
UM, I AM CONVINCED THAT MOST OF OUR RENTAL PROPERTY OWNERS HERE ARE RESPONSIBLE OWNERS.
I'M CONVINCED THAT MOST OF THE VISITORS THAT COME HERE AND OCCUPY THESE PROPERTIES ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE.
UH, BUT EACH MEMBER OF COUNCIL, INCLUDING YOURS, TRULY HEARS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, PARTICULARLY IN THE HIGH SUMMER, AND WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT.
AND SO IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT THE ACTIONS OF A FEW HAVE CAUSED ALL OF THESE REGULATIONS.
I'D LIKE TO AVOID AS MANY REGULATIONS AS THAT.
GOOD, BUT IT'S MOST UNFORTUNATE THAT THAT'S HAPPENED.
UM, OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO OUR CONSTITUENTS AND OUR CONSTITUENTS OR THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE.
AND THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO DEAL WITH.
SO I THINK THAT WE ARE MAKING A GOOD FIRST EFFORT HERE TO A LARGE DEGREE, THE HORSES OUT OF THE BARN.
WE HAVE SOME PROPERTIES OUT THERE THAT NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE.
WE ALL KNOW THAT, BUT THOSE ARE FACTS THAT WE HAVE TO LIVE WITH MOVING FORWARD.
SO IN SUMMARY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR AN OUTSTANDING JOB.
I THINK THIS IS A REALLY GOOD FOR STOCK FIRST STEP FOR US, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO MOVING IT FORWARD AND GETTING THIS IN PLACE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
[00:45:01]
I GUESS MOST CURRENT NUMBER OF SDRS ON THE ISLAND? I KNOW THAT NUMBER KEEPS MOVING.DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN REPORT ON? IT'S A MOVING TARGET? I BELIEVE WHEN I LOOKED AT IT, UM, A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, THE NUMBER THAT WE HAVE FOR THE SERVICE THAT WE HAVE INCLUDES AIR BNB AND BRBO, IT DOESN'T INCLUDE LOCAL COMPANIES.
UM, WE WILL HAVE FURTHER INFORMATION ON THAT WHEN WE GET THE MORE ROBUST SOFTWARE PRODUCT, I BELIEVE IT WAS 7,600, THE OTHER DAY THAT I LOOKED AT IT.
IT DOES NOT INCLUDE MANAGED PROPERTIES ON THEIR OWN.
UNLESS THEY'RE ADVERTISING ON AIRBNB OR BRBO, AND THAT CYCLES CONSIDERABLY TRYING TO LOOK AT THE NUMBERS AND GIVE YOU AN EXACT NUMBER.
I, THE MORE I LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, THE MORE VARIATION THERE IS SEASONALLY.
UM, YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT SOME FOLKS WHO ARE, UH, LIVE HERE PART-TIME IN THE YEAR WHO HAVEN'T, YOU KNOW, GONE BACK NORTH, SO TO SPEAK.
UM, SO IT VARIES WIDELY THROUGHOUT THE SEASON.
UM, THANK YOU FOR, UH, LAYING OUT THE, UH, I GUESS PROSECUTION AND APPEAL PROCESS, UH, THAT IT HELPS ME.
I STILL HAVE, UH, ONE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONNAIRE, UM, FOR, UH, IT SEEMS TO BE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BUSINESS LICENSE AND A PERMIT.
SO I'M JUST CURIOUS TO KNOW IF, UH, IF AN AGENT HAS A BUSINESS LICENSE AND MULTIPLE PERMITS, THEY'RE TRYING WILL BE SIMPLY ON THE PERMIT THAT IS IN VIOLATION.
SO IN A SENSE, A BUSINESS COULD HAVE 10 PERMITS, ONE VIOLATING, BUT THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THAT THE BUSINESS LICENSE WOULD BE IN JEOPARDY.
IS THAT CORRECT, CURTIS, TO SPEAK TO THAT QUESTION? UM, IT WOULD, IT WOULD DEPEND ON, ON HOW THEY HAVE THE WHOLE THING SET UP.
IF THEY HAVE EVERYTHING MANAGED UNDER ONE BUSINESS LICENSE, THAT COULD BE A PROBLEM.
IF THEY HAVE A SEPARATE BUSINESS LICENSE FOR EACH SEPARATE PROPERTY, THEN NO, IT WOULD BE DIRECT THAT THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL PERMITS ARE PROPERTY BY PROPERTY THOUGH.
UM, AND I THINK MR. STANFORD WILL BE AROUND TO HELP US WITH STUFF LIKE THIS, BUT FOR MY LAYMAN MIND, I'M CONFUSED BY THAT BECAUSE, UM, TYPICALLY I WOULD THINK THAT A, A PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY OR A OWNER OF MULTIPLE HAVING ONE PERMIT PER UNIT, UM, THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME SEPARATION BETWEEN IF ONE UNIT IS IN VIOLATION AND THE OWNER, AND THAT MAY GET A LITTLE MUDDY DOWN THE ROAD AS A PRACTICAL MATTER, PROBABLY AT LEAST MY EXPERIENCE.
AND I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF MY EXPERIENCE OPERATE GENERALLY, BUT PEOPLE THAT OWN MULTIPLE PROPERTIES THAT THEY USE IN THIS FASHION TYPICALLY HAVE THEM TITLED IN THE NAME OF A DIFFERENT LLC OR COMPANY.
AND SO YOU'VE GOT A DIFFERENT YOU'LL YOU'LL HAVE FOR MANY OF THEM DIFFERENT OWNERS ANYWAY.
UM, BUT TO THE EXTENT THAT THERE IS A PERSON THAT MIGHT GET CAUGHT UP IN THE WAY YOU'VE DESCRIBED, WE CAN ADDRESS THAT IN THE LANGUAGE.
OBVIOUSLY WE'VE GOT, UH, THIS IS A, I MEAN, IN MY VIEW, A FIRST CUT OF THIS AND, AND THESE, THESE QUESTIONS GET RAISED AND WE CAN SEE IF WE CAN FIND A WAY TO ADDRESS THE CONCERN IN THE LANGUAGE.
UM, WHILE WE ON COLD, I GUESS I'LL ASK THIS QUESTION.
UM, I ALSO AGREE THAT AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH HIRING A THIRD PARTY, UH, HAVING FURTHER DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS, THAT THERE MAY BE FURTHER, UH, REVISIONS TO WHAT WE, UH, WE ADOPT, UH, AT THE COUNCIL LEVEL, RIGHT IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.
I'M JUST CURIOUS TO KNOW HOW THAT WOULD PLAY OUT.
WOULD IT BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD COME BACK TO SUBCOMMITTEE THE FURTHER DISCUSSION, OR WOULD IT BE HANDLED JUST AT THE COUNCIL LEVEL? OUR INTENTION OR OUR PROPOSAL IS THAT THE ORDINANCE AS WRITTEN, IF A COMMITTEE IS COMFORTABLE WITH IT COULD BE PASSED BY TOWN COUNCIL AT YOUR NEXT MEETING ON APRIL 5TH, THE ISSUES THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IN TERMS OF HIRING A, A CODE WRITER, SETTING THE PERMIT FEE, ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE ADMINISTRATION OF THE ORDINANCE THAT STAFF CAN HANDLE AND PROVIDE UPDATES TO THE PUBLIC PLANNING COMMITTEE ON OR TO TOWN COUNCIL, AS WE REQUEST THE PERMIT FEE.
IF YOU, IF YOU WANTED SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THE OREN'S, OBVIOUSLY, YOU KNOW, WE COULD COME BACK TO THE PUBLIC PLANNING COMMITTEE, COME BACK TO YOU, LIFTS THE ORDINANCE, DISCUSS THEM.
AND THEN ONCE YOU'RE COMFORTABLE AT THAT ORDINANCE, MOVED BACK TO THE TOWN COUNCIL.
I JUST WANT JUST BE MINDFUL THAT THERE COULD BE, UM, AN OPPORTUNITY WHERE SOMEONE SHOWS UP AND SAYS, HEY, YOU DIDN'T GET THIS RIGHT.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'D BE CIRCLED BACK IN THE SAME FASHION THAT WE HAVE GOTTEN TO THIS POINT, WHICH IS VERY ENGAGING, UH, NOT JUST WITH COUNCIL, BUT THE COMMUNITY.
UM, I DO HAVE, I THINK I HAVE A RESPONSE TO YOUR QUESTION ABOUT, UH,
[00:50:01]
THE INSPECTIONS, UM, BY FIRE AND RESCUE OR WHOMEVER AS FAR AS THE VIRUS IS CONCERNED.BUT, UH, BEFORE I, BEFORE I ANSWER THAT, UM, I THINK I NEED TO MAKE THESE COMMENTS ABOUT THE PROPOSED FEE, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE THIS ORDINANCE IN PLACE IN ORDER TO BUILD A BUDGET AROUND IT.
BUT I GO BACK TO OUR PROBLEM STATEMENT OR PURPOSE STATEMENT, I SHOULD SAY.
UM, BUT WE'RE TRYING TO DEVELOP A FAIR, PREDICTABLE AND BALANCED APPROACH TO MANAGE SHORT-TERM RENTAL IMPACTS ON OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, ECONOMY, HOUSING, STOCK, PUBLIC FACILITIES, AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR RESIDENTS.
THE FI CAN'T BE VIEWED AS SIMPLY A DETER FOR BAD APPLES, SO TO SPEAK.
UM, AND I ALSO DON'T SEE IT SIMPLY COVERING THE COST OF THE SOFTWARES AND THE THIRD PARTIES THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO ENGAGE WITH IN ORDER TO MANAGE WHAT WE'RE PUTTING IN PLACE.
I'M REALLY REFERRING BACK TO THE IMBALANCE.
I'LL JUST USE THIS EXAMPLE, UH, PARTICULARLY FOR THOSE THAT ARE GOING TO BE DEVELOPING BUDGET.
UM, YOU KNOW, WE, WE KNOW FOR CERTAIN THAT, UH, WE DON'T WANT OUR ENTIRE ISLAND TO BECOME SHORT-TERM RENTALS.
UM, AND WE KNOW WE'VE HAD SOME INFILTRATION AND AREAS THAT WE CAN ARGUE THAT IT MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN, BUT WE ALSO REALIZED THAT WE HAVE A HUGE BURDEN ON, UH, QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE ON HILTON HEAD BECAUSE OF OUR LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
UH, SO TO ME, THIS FEE SHOULD REALLY BE LEANING TOWARDS FIXING THE IMBALANCE AND NOT JUST COVERING THE COST OF MANAGING IT.
THAT TO ME MAKES IT MORE EQUITABLE.
UM, I KIND OF VIEWED AS THIS FEE AT THE MOMENT AS BEING SOMEWHAT INEQUITABLE BECAUSE YEAH, A LOT OF AREAS ON HILTON HEAD THAT MAY HAVE A LOT OF UNITS THAT BRING IN A LOT OF MONEY AND THERE MAY BE UNITS THAT DON'T BRING IN AS MUCH MONEY.
UM, BUT IF WE WERE TRULY TRYING TO, TO CORRECT THE ISSUE AT HAND OF IMBALANCE, I THINK WE NEED TO GET OUT OF THE BOX THAT, THAT, UH, THE PROS FEE AND MAKE SENSE OF HOW WE GET BACK TO SOMETHING THAT IS MORE IN BALANCE.
UM, SO THOSE ARE MY THOUGHTS ON THAT.
UM, AND WITH THAT BEING SAID, UM, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, I DON'T KNOW, EIGHT, 9,000 UNITS, UH, THAT WE WANT TO EXPECT ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.
UH, THAT'S A LOT OF UNITS TO TRY TO INSPECT.
AND TO ME THAT WOULD BE, UH, A HUGE AMOUNT OF FUNDING THAT HAVE TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.
AND I WOULD RATHER USE THAT FUNDING TO GET BACK TO IMBALANCE THE IMBALANCE PROBLEM.
SO, UM, THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS, MR. CHAIR.
AND THANK YOU, MISS AARON FOR EXCELLENT WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE SO FAR.
I APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S WORK ON THIS MATTER.
AND I JUST WANT TO REMIND OR MAYBE INFORM, UM, WHY IT IS, WE ARE DISCUSSING THIS ISSUE.
HILTON HEAD ISLAND IS A PARADISE THAT DRAWS PEOPLE AROUND THE COUNTRY AND AROUND THE WORLD.
IT HAS DEVELOPED AS SUCH A PLACE WHERE OUR VISITORS COME.
THEY HAD THOSE AMAZING EXPERIENCES THAT HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO HERE TODAY, AND THAT WE ALL KNOW BECAUSE WE'VE EACH HAD THEM COMING ACROSS THAT BRIDGE.
AS WE GET THE CHILLS, HOPEFULLY WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.
UM, AND THEN OUR VISITORS OFTEN BECOME OUR RESIDENTS BECAUSE OF THOSE EXPERIENCES.
AND THEY LOOK TO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS TO ESTABLISH THEIR LIVES, RAISE THEIR FAMILIES AND ENJOY THEIR RETIREMENT.
THE SITUATION THAT WE FIND OURSELVES IN TODAY HAS GROWN TO THE EXTENT THAT THOSE CONDITIONS ARE NO LONGER, LARGELY EXISTED.
USE THE WORD ELIMINATION IN THAT, IN THAT, UM, PROJECT PURPOSE STATEMENT OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
AND I KIND OF TOOK EXCEPTION OF THAT, WHAT I AM, ALTHOUGH IT FAIRLY MAY BE AN ELIMINATION, BUT MORE POINTEDLY.
IT IS THE LOSS OF THAT QUALITY OF LIFE THAT WE SOUGHT WHEN WE PURCHASED OUR HOMES TO LIVE HERE.
IT IS THAT LOSS OF COMMUNITY THAT WE ARE ABLE TO ENJOY WHEN WE INTERACT WITH OUR NEIGHBORS AND WE WALKED DOWN THE STREET, THOSE
[00:55:01]
TYPES OF LOSSES, UM, ARE IMPACTED, BUT THE TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT THAT HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO HAPPEN ON THE ISLAND.SO IN MANY REGARDS, THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE HAVE BEEN SELF-INFLICTED, IT'S MY HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.
AND I KNOW THAT MANY IN THIS ROOM HAVE HEARD ME SAY THIS ALMOST ON A DAILY BASIS, AND I'LL CONTINUE TO SAY IT BECAUSE IT'S A PRIORITY OF MINE.
IT IS MY HOPE IN THE FUTURE THAT OUR DEVELOPMENT PROCESS FOR HOMES BECOMES MUCH MORE REASONABLE WITH THE TYPE OF LIFESTYLE AND QUALITY OF LIFE THAT PEOPLE SOUGHT WHEN THEY CAME TO HILTON HEAD ISLAND TRUST AS VISITORS, PERHAPS IN RENTALS, IN THOSE HOMES, THOSE REASONABLE HOMES, WHERE PEOPLE BOUGHT THEM WITH THE EXPECTATION OF RETIRING HIM IN THEM, THEREFORE USING THE REVENUE GAINED IN THE MEANTIME TO HELP PURCHASE THAT HOME.
I GET WHY A SHORT-TERM RENTAL IS IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITY, BUT WHAT'S HAPPENED OVER THE COURSE OF TIME IS THAT THESE HOMES HAVE BECOME OUT OF BALANCE WITH OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
AND WE NO LONGER ARE CONSTRUCTING RESIDENCES THAT ALLOW THAT SCENARIO TO TAKE PLACE IN THAT GROWTH IN OUR RESIDENTIAL POPULATION, TO CONTINUE FOR NEW FAMILIES, TO FIND HOMES THAT THEY CAN START THEIR LIVES.
AND FOR NEW EMPLOYEES COMING TO THE ISLAND AND FIND RESIDENTS TO GET THEIR FEET IN THE GROUND HERE AND TO ENJOY, ENJOY WHAT WE HAVE, NOT JUST FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, BUT FOR A LIFETIME.
AND THEN GAINING THAT REBALANCE.
I'M HOPING THAT WE LOOK AT THE STANDARDS IN WHICH OUR COMMUNITIES ARE DEVELOPED, WHERE NOW WE FIND OURSELVES WE'RE BUILDING HOMES THAT FAMILIES WON'T BE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING.
THE ONLY NEXT BUYER FOR THAT PROPERTY WOULD SEEMINGLY BE ANOTHER INVESTMENT FOR LOOKING TO MAKE OODLES OF MONEY, UM, WITHOUT ANY CONNECTION, WITHOUT ANY COMMITMENT TO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, TO OUR QUALITY OF LIFE AND TO THE FUTURE OF HILTON HEAD'S PARADISE.
THE THIRD DIMENSION OF DEVELOPMENT IS THAT INTERACTION OF HUMAN BEINGS THAT SIT AMONG THE BELTS ENVIRONMENT THAT WE ALLOW ON HILTON HEAD WE'VE PURPOSELY DECIDED LONG TIME AGO, THAT THAT BUILT ENVIRONMENT WOULD INCLUDE AN TREES.
IT WOULD INCLUDE LANDSCAPE, IT WOULD INCLUDE SPACE.
IT WOULD INCLUDE RESPECT FOR OUR ECOLOGY ON THE EYELID, OUR TURTLES AND WILDLIFE.
IF WE CONTINUE DOWN THE ROAD, WE ARE, WE NOT, WE NO LONGER WILL HAVE THOSE.
WHAT WE WILL HAVE IS NOTHING BUT THE INTERACTION IN THE CONFRONTATION AND CONFLICT OF THE DYNAMIC OF A PERSON NEXT TO A PERSON NEXT TO ONE PERSON, ALL FIGHTING FOR THE SAME RESOURCES.
NONE OF US, I BELIEVE IN THIS ROOM OR LISTENING TO THIS, WANT THAT FOR HILTON HEAD.
AND SO THAT'S WHAT BRINGS US TO THE POINT TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY, SO THAT WE CAN TRY TO CORRECT THAT IMBALANCE, BUT NOT BY DRACONIAN MEASURES OF REGULATIONS AND THE LIKE, BUT BY REMINDING US WHY WE'RE HERE AND THE PURPOSE OF HILTON HEAD FOR THE LONGTERM AND NOT FOR THE SHORT TERM GAIN.
SO HOPEFULLY WITH THOSE COMMENTS, YOU UNDERSTAND, FROM MY PERSPECTIVE WHY THIS IS SO IMPORTANT, A SMALL, UM, MATTER, WHICH I THINK RELATES TO SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN, UM, MADE UP HERE.
AND THANK YOU ALL FOR THOSE IS, HAS HOW, AND PREVIOUSLY, HOW MANY RENTALS ARE THERE ON THE ISLAND? WE HAVE NUMBER OF 7,000, 10,000, ET CETERA.
WELL, WHEN I WAS DOING MY RESEARCH FOR TODAY'S MEETING, I PICKED UP, UM, AIR DNA.
AND I LOOKED AT THEIR MAP FOR HILTON HEAD ISLAND, WHICH BY THE WAY, YOU CAN'T GET INTO WITHOUT PAYING A FEE TO GET FURTHER INFORMATION, BUT IT SHOWS A MAP AND YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO SEE IT VERY CLEARLY.
AND I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU TO PUT UP THIS MAP INDICATES ONLY 5,000 OR SO.
SO IT'S NOT COMPLETE AGAIN, I DIDN'T PAY FOR IT.
I TOOK WHAT WAS ON THE SURFACE.
YOU SEE ALL OF THOSE PURPLE THAT'S, THAT'S JUST ABOUT HALF OF WHAT'S BEING DESCRIBED AS CURRENT THAT'S OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
THE IMBALANCE IS CLEAR, WELL DEMONSTRATED.
AND SO WE COME TO AN ORDINANCE THEN IN MY MIND CURRENTLY IS NOT ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF OUR NEIGHBORS, THE NEEDS OF OUR NEIGHBORS AND THE RESIDENTS IN OUR ISLAND IS TO REGAIN THAT BALANCE IN THEIR LIVES SO THAT THERE IS NOT IF, AND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE, UM, PSYCHOLOGY HAS A BACKGROUND, MAY KNOW THAT THE, UM, THEORY OF, UH, LEARNED HELPLESSNESS.
AND SO I'M AFRAID THAT SOME OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS MAYBE FALLING INTO A SITUATION WHERE THEY'RE BECOMING SO, SO CONVINCED THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO SOMETHING
[01:00:01]
THAT ACTUALLY IMPACTS THE DISRUPTION IN THEIR LIVES, THAT THEY'VE FALLEN INTO A LEARNED HOPELESSNESS TYPE OF, UM, CONDITION WHERE THEY GIVE UP OR THEY GIVE UP AND THEY MOVE, THEY PUT THEIR HOUSES ON THE MARKET AND THEY LEAVE US.SO IN MY MIND, WE'RE NOT REALLY IN THIS ORDINANCE DOING ENOUGH TO ADDRESS THAT AS AN IMMEDIATE NEED, DOESN'T BEGIN THIS ORDINANCE UNTIL JANUARY 1ST, 2023, WHAT HAPPENS OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT YEAR? WHO DO WE CALL, WHO DO THEY CALL WHEN THERE ARE ISSUES, EVEN WHEN THE ORDINANCE IS IN PLACE, HOW DOES THAT MECHANISM OF GOING ONTO THE WEBSITE, WHICH YOU CORRECTLY POINTED OUT, UM, AND THEY MAKE A COMPLAINT, SOMETHING THAT'S IMPACTING THEIR LIVES RIGHT AWAY, THAT THEY NEED RELIEF FROM.
HOW DOES THAT GET THEM TO A SOLUTION AND A RESOLUTION AND BACK TO THEIR DAILY QUALITY OF LIFE THAT THEY, AND WE EXPECT? I THINK WE FALL SHORT WHEN WE SAY WE'RE GOING TO USE THAT SYSTEM AND WE DON'T PROVIDE A MORE IMMEDIATE.
AND SO TO THE ANSWER OF, AND THE CURRENT STORM FOR THE HOUR RESPONSE TIME, THAT'S WHY, BECAUSE PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE BEING IMPACTED.
AND THE REASON PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE BEING IMPACTED BECAUSE THEIR EXPECTATIONS ARE EXACTLY AS I'VE DISCUSSED.
AND YOU'VE ALL DISCUSSED WITH ME.
THAT'S WHY THE HOUR RESPONSE TIME IS NECESSARY AND SHOULD BE REQUIRED.
THERE'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO DRIVE OUT IS I'M NOT PREPARED TO PASS THIS ORDINANCE ON TODAY BECAUSE OTHERS HAVE MENTIONED THAT THERE ARE ISSUES.
I BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE GREATER ISSUES THAT WE REALLY NEED TO ADDRESS.
UM, I BELIEVE THAT A RECOMMENDATION, UM, TO GET TO THE POINT, UM, IS THAT OUR AGENT IN TERMS OF RESPONSE, TIME NEEDS TO BE SOMEONE WHO WAS, UM, AN AGREEMENT AND NOT ONLY AFFIRMED, BUT PROVIDES AN AFFIDAVIT THAT THEY WILL MAKE THEMSELVES AVAILABLE TO WHATEVER THE SITUATION AND CONDITION IS THAT IS BEING COMPLAINED ABOUT.
UM, AND THAT THERE ARE IN FACT, AS YOU MENTIONED AND BACKUPS FOR, UM, FOR THAT MR. BROWN, YOU BROUGHT UP A QUESTION ABOUT LICENSING AND PERMITS.
THAT WAS ONE OF MY QUESTIONS AS WELL.
IF WE LOOK AT THE STATUTE OR THE CODE THAT WE HAVE TEN ONE, ONE FIFTY, WHICH IS FULLY DESCRIBED IN OUR ORDINANCE IN TERMS OF HOW THIS PROCEDURAL HEARING HAPPENS, IT REALLY DOES REFER TO LICENSES, NOT NECESSARILY PERMITS AND THEREFORE, ARE, ARE THEY ONE IN THE SAME? UM, I'M NOT CLEAR YET ON THAT.
UM, IF WE'RE PULLING, IF WE ARE GOING BY A LICENSE ORDINANCE REMOVAL THAT IMPACTS EVERY ONE OF THOSE PERMITS AND NOT EVERY ONE OF THOSE PERMITS OR NECESSARILY THE OFFENDING PROPERTY, DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? SO A QUESTION THAT I HAVE A SUGGESTION, I DON'T KNOW, BUT I WOULD LIKE SOME CLARITY ON THAT.
LET ME TRY TO GO THROUGH MY NOTES.
I DON'T WANT TO SHORT CHANGE ANY OF IT BECAUSE THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO WERE HERE AND THOSE LISTENING ARE INTERESTED IN US, MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE THOROUGH IN, IN FINDING THE MECHANISMS THAT PROVIDE THAT RELIEF AND DO IT IN A WAY THAT'S MEANINGFUL, UM, NOT TO JUST GET THROUGH IT.
UM, SO I'VE MENTIONED THAT ONE, UM, FINES.
SO ON PAGE 17 OF YOUR PRESENTATION, WE HAVE, UM, LICENSES, PERMITS, PAYMENTS OF FEES, THE TAXES THROUGHOUT THE ORDINANCE THAT REFERS TO NOT BEING ABLE TO GET YOUR PERMIT.
UM, IF THOSE TYPES OF THINGS HAVEN'T BEEN SATISFIED, WELL, I WOULD ALSO, UM, RE LATE THAT TO A CONCERN ABOUT IF SOMEONE AFTER UPPER, AFTER ATTEMPTS AT TRYING TO RESTRUCTURE BEHAVIOR OR TO GET PEOPLE TO COME INTO COMPLIANCE BECAUSE NO, ONE'S LOOKING TO COME OUT AND, AND SLAP EVERYBODY'S HANDS.
THEY'RE LOOKING TO FIND WAYS TO GET PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE REASONS FOR THESE RULES ARE SO THAT WE CAN GET THAT BALANCE BACK AND PROVIDE WHAT WE'VE DISCUSSED SHORT OF THAT HAPPENING FINES WILL BE IN PLACE.
WE HAVEN'T IN OUR ORDINANCE, BUT, UM, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME EMPHASIS ON, UM, THE PERMIT NOT BEING ABLE TO BE RENEWED OR CONTINUED UNTIL THOSE FINES ARE PAID AND THE MECHANISM FOR ISSUING THOSE CITATIONS AND TRACKING DOWN THE PERSON WHO THE CITATION GOES TO AND GETTING THEM TO PAY THAT FINE.
UM, ISN'T CLEAR TO ME EITHER AND THE LENGTH OF TIME, MORE IMPORTANTLY FOR THAT TO OCCUR.
[01:05:01]
HELPFUL.SO I'M CURIOUS AS HOW WE CAN SHORTEN THAT LENGTH OF TIME SO THAT IF THE GENTLE RE EDUCATION OF HOW TO BE A BETTER NEIGHBOR AND HOW TO BETTER IMPROVE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH, UM, THE COMMUNITY ISN'T, UM, TAKEN THAT THE FINES WILL IN FACT BE PAID, AND THAT WILL BE THE MECHANISM TO GET PEOPLE INTO COMPLIANCE.
SO QUESTION ON THAT, THAT RESPONSE OF ACTION.
I ALSO HAD A QUICK QUESTION ABOUT OTHERS HAVE BROUGHT IT UP.
THE RESPONSIVE ACTION IS THAT SIMPLY WELL, I REACHED OUT AND I CALLED THE SHERIFF OR NOR I CALLED CODE.
AND SO I'VE DONE SOMETHING AND MY JOB IS DONE AND THAT PRETTY MUCH PUTS US WHERE WE ARE TODAY, WHICH IS, UM, A BURDEN ON THE TOWN AND A BURDEN ON OUR SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.
UM, SO I'M GOING TO PICK UP ON, I'M TRYING TO BE SURE, BUT I DON'T WANT TO BE TOO SHORT.
I'M GOING TO PICK UP ON THE FINE, UH, THE FEE ISSUE WITH REGARD TO INSPECTIONS, THE REASON THAT, AND I, AND I BET BY THE WAY, FOR ANYONE WHO'S INTERESTED, I READ ALL OF YOUR COMMENTS.
I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'VE WRITTEN AND I'VE HEARD COMMENTS THAT IT WOULD BE UNREASONABLE FOR, UM, FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE TO, UM, ENSURE THAT FOR INSTANCE, EXITS AREN'T BLOCKED FOR FIRE.
UM, I CAN ONLY SHAKE MY HEAD AND BECAUSE I READ COMMENTS LIKE THAT, UM, I THINK IT WOULD BE WISE OF US TO FIND OUT FROM FIRE AND RESCUE WHAT IT WOULD TAKE FOR THEM, THEIR COSTS, THEIR OVERHEAD, THEIR MANPOWER, WHATEVER THAT IS, TO HAVE INSPECTIONS THAT ARE SPECIFIC TO THOSE CONCERNS ABOUT THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR VISITORS AND OUR GUESTS.
IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE TO YOUR HOME, JUST AS A DAY TO DAY HAPPENSTANCE, YOU AUTOMATICALLY ENSURE THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE SAFE, THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE WELL-PROTECTED.
AND I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD BE ANY LESS.
UM, BUT IN THESE INSTANCES AND BECAUSE THE HOMEOWNER ISN'T PRESENT ON PROPERTY, THERE NEEDS TO BE AN INSURE, UM, SOME ASSURANCE AND ENSURE THAT THE PROPER, UM, ALARM SYSTEM IS IN PLACE FOR THOSE DON'T KNOW, I SPEAK VERY SENSITIVELY ABOUT THE ISSUE OF FIRE.
MY HOUSE WAS ON FIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.
I KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO GET OUT OF YOUR HOUSE WHEN YOU KNOW YOUR HOUSE.
WELL, IF YOU ARE IN A RENTAL AND YOU'VE JUST ARRIVED AND YOUR KIDS ARE IN ONE BEDROOM AND YOUR PETS ARE IN ANOTHER SPACE AND RANTING AND PAPA WHO CAME ALONG WITH YOU OR IN ANOTHER SPACE, AND YOU NEED TO GET OUT, YOU NEED TO HAVE INFORMATION THERE AVAILABLE TO YOU.
AND I WOULD LIKE, UM, AS MATTER OF FEELING CONFIDENT THAT OUR IS SAFE AND OUR VISITORS ARE SAFE, UM, THAT THEY HAVE THAT INFORMATION AT THE THEREFORE PREP, UH, RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM.
SO I W FIRE AND RESCUE, UH, IN A FEE, WHAT THAT WOULD ENTAIL MANPOWER, ET CETERA.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THAT.
UM, IF A FIRE IS COMING UP THE BACK OF YOUR HOUSE AND THE SMOKE IS FILLING FROM THE OTHER DIRECTION, AND THE ONLY WAY OUT IS EITHER OF THOSE OR TO JUMP, YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT YOUR BEST CHOICE IS, RIGHT.
AND IF YOU DON'T KNOW YOUR ENVIRONMENT, YOU CAN'T POSSIBLY BE AWARE OF THAT.
SO I THINK IT BEHOOVES US TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE SAFE AND, UM, WE'LL SURVIVE SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS.
AND YOU OFTEN TIMES HAVE NO IDEA WHY, UM, THE, THE PAGE 25 OF YOUR PRESENTATION IT HAS TO DO WITH, UM, THE PARKING TO ME, IT'S JUST, IT JUST NEEDS TO BE CLEANED UP THE WAY IT'S WRITTEN.
UM, I APPRECIATE YOUR ADDRESSING THE ISSUE WITH, UM, UM, THE CONCERNS THAT PEOPLE COULD JUST PAVE OVER THEIR YARDS FOR ADDITIONAL PARKING SPACES.
I SEE THAT THE APPLICABLE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LML CODE IS LISTED HERE.
UM, UH, I ASKED FOR THOSE CODES TO BE OUTLINED BECAUSE TO ME, IT SEEMED AS THOUGH IF I WAS PICKING UP AN ORDINANCE AND WANTS TO KNOW WHAT I WAS GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR, UM, WHAT THE REPERCUSSIONS TO ME ARE, IF I'M NOT RESPONSIBLE.
UM, AND I WOULD WANT TO HAVE AS MUCH INFORMATION IN FRONT OF ME AND AS EASY TO READ MANNER AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE, BECAUSE I TOO AM A BLAMING.
UM, AND I THINK THAT OTHER PEOPLE MIGHT APPRECIATE
[01:10:01]
THAT AS WELL.SO, UM, I'VE BEEN ASSURED THAT OUR LMO CODE WILL PREVENT THAT TYPE OF, UM, PAVING OVER MORE OF OUR PARADISE.
SO, UM, PAGE 27, SO SHORT-TERM PROPERTIES MUST BE PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND INSPECTED BY THE SHORT TERM RENTAL.
AND MY QUESTION IS, AND IF THEY'RE NOT, UM, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE, UH, PIECE OF IT.
THE OPERATOR FOR SHORT-TERM RENTAL HAS BEEN DECLARED A NUISANCE.
AND SO I UNDERSTAND THAT I, UM, THE, THE CODE WITH REGARD TO NUISANCE, UM, THAT ANSWERS MY QUESTION AS TO WHAT TRIGGERS THIS.
AND, UM, AN OWNER HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF MORE THAN TWO VIOLATIONS OF THIS CHAPTER IN A 12 MONTH PERIOD.
SO I GUESS WE MEAN THREE OR MORE.
UM, AND THEN I START GETTING, UM, GETTING WISHY WASHY, UM, AND SOME OF THE THINGS, BECAUSE WE GO FROM SHALL, SHALL, SHALL EVERYONE, SHALL, WHICH WE ALL KNOW THE MEANING OF TO MAY.
AND THAT'S WHERE I START TO FEEL AS THOUGH THINGS MAY FALL APART FOR THE FUTURE.
YOU SHALL DO THIS, BUT IF YOU DON'T DO IT, WE MAY DO THIS.
UM, AND THERE'S JUST A LOT OF AMBIGUITY FOR ME IN THAT.
AND IF THE GOAL IS HERE TO TRY TO GET PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND, WE REALLY ARE ASKING, LEADING AND HELPING TO EDUCATE PEOPLE TO COME BACK INTO COMPLIANCE FOR MORE BALANCE BETWEEN OUR VISITORS, WHO WE HOPE SOMEDAY WILL HAVE THE EXPERIENCES TO WANT TO BECOME OUR RESIDENTS AND NOT THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING MISERABLE WHEN THEY'RE HERE, BECAUSE WE HAVE ONEROUS ROLES.
UM, SO ANYWAY, I, THE MAZE AND THE, YOU KNOW, WE WANT YOU, YOU SHALL DO THIS, WE'RE INSISTING YOU DO THIS, BUT IF YOU DON'T, I'M NOT REALLY SURE WHAT WE MAY DO THIS.
WE MAY NOT DO THAT, UM, IS A LITTLE UNSETTLING FOR ME.
SO FOR THOSE REASONS, AND PROBABLY 12 OR 15 MORE THAT YOU DON'T WANT ME TO GO INTO AT THIS MOMENT, BUT I WILL, UM, I'M GOING TO JUST LET YOU KNOW THAT I LIKELY WILL BE ASKING FOR MORE TIME TO REVIEW THIS, TO GET IT FURTHER REFINED, TO INCORPORATE PERHAPS SOME OF WHAT, UM, LEN AND, UM, ALEX HAVE ASKED FOR AS WELL.
MY THOUGHTS WE'VE USED THE WORD BALANCE A COUPLE OF TIMES TODAY, UH, I USE DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED.
UM, A BALANCE THAT I'M AWARE OF IS THE QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE FOR VISITORS AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS.
AND THAT'S, THAT'S ONE BALANCE WE'RE DEALING WITH HERE.
UM, BUT ANOTHER, ANOTHER, PERHAPS THAT GETS TOO EMOTIONALLY.
WHAT THAT'S ALL ABOUT IS THE BALANCE BETWEEN THE MINDSET OF FUN-LOVING VACATIONERS.
WE ARE AFTER ALL A HOSPITALITY DRIVEN COMMUNITY, UM, UM, I IMMEDIATELY GO BACK TO THE WAY CHARLES FRAZIER SAW THE VACATION EXPERIENCE.
AND SO I THINK, I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO KEEP THAT IN MIND, BUT THEN YOU HAVE THE, THE, THE IMPACTS OF THOSE ACTIVITIES ON PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE 365 DAYS OF THE YEAR.
AND THAT'S ANOTHER BALANCING ACT THAT WE ARE TRYING TO ACHIEVE.
UH, THERE'S THE ISSUE OF THE ECONOMY, WHICH IS GREAT, BUT THERE'S ALSO THE CORE VALUES OF THIS COMMUNITY, WHICH NEED TO BE PRESERVED.
SO I, I CAN'T OVEREMPHASIZE HOW DIFFICULT COMING UP WITH WORDS TO ACHIEVE THAT BALANCE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY, BUT I'LL TRY, I'M NOT YET SATISFIED AND THAT A PARKING, UH, SENTENCE PRESERVES A CORE VALUE OF
[01:15:01]
ENVIRONMENT OF PROTECTION OF LANDSCAPE TREES MINIMIZING THE IMPACT OF IMPERVIOUS COVERAGE.SO I'M, I'M, I'M WILLING TO MOVE FORWARD THE WAY IT IS DRAFTED AT THIS MOMENT.
BUT I, I WOULD LIKE IN THE INTERVENING TIME FOR STAFF TO MAKE IT MAKE ME, AND PERHAPS THE FOUR OF US MORE COMFORTABLE THAT, THAT LANGUAGE ISN'T TOO OPEN-ENDED OR CREATES AN ISSUE THAT WE WILL REGRET DOWN THE ROAD.
NOW THAT, THAT GETS ME TO A QUESTION TO OUR LAWYERS AND THAT IS, CAN WE, CAN WE PASS THE ORDINANCE AS DRAFTED TODAY, BUT WITH LANGUAGE THAT WOULD ALLOW THE FULL COUNCIL TO AMEND THE MOTION AT FULL COUNCIL FOR A VARIETY OF THINGS? WELL, FIRST Y'ALL AREN'T PASSING ANYTHING TODAY.
NO, WE'RE RECOMMENDED THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL, TO THE TEXT OF THIS ORDINANCE.
AND OBVIOUSLY WHEN IT COMES BEFORE COUNCIL COUNCIL CAN CHANGE IT AS COUNCIL DEEMS APPROPRIATE.
UM, I'M GOING TO THAT SATISFIES ME BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THIS COMMITTEE TO MOVE THIS FORWARD TO FULL COUNCIL AND HAVE THAT DEBATE, UM, ANNUAL INSPECTION.
UM, I DON'T SUPPORT AN ANNUAL INSPECTION AT THIS TIME.
I THINK WE SHOULD FIRST GO WITH THE LANGUAGE OF THE ORDINANCE.
AND IF WE BEGIN TO SEE THAT RELYING ON AFFIDAVITS BY OWNERS IS INADEQUATE, THEN WE CAN TAKE IT TO THE NEXT STEP.
THAT'S WHERE MY HEAD COMES OUT.
UM, A RECOMMENDATION WAS MADE TO ADD PERMIT, PERMIT NUMBERS ON ANY ADVERTISING, UH, THAT GOES OUT.
SO IF I LOOK AT A WEBSITE AND I SEE SOME, UH, PROPERTY BEING ADVERTISED, THERE'S A PERMIT NUMBER THERE.
I FEEL MORE CONFIDENT THEN THAT WE'VE CLOSED, CLOSED THE LOOP, AND PERHAPS MADE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO PURSUE ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE PURSUED.
YOU MENTIONED ADDING IN WRITING TO THE POOL.
AND I THINK THAT MAKES SENSE AS WELL.
GLENN MENTIONED THE 80 20 RULE, AND THAT'S REALLY UNFORTUNATE.
IT REALLY IS ALSO WHERE WE ARE SO MUCH OF THIS LANGUAGE RECOGNIZES THAT 20% DON'T USE COMMON SENSE AREN'T CONSIDERATE OF THEIR NEIGHBORS.
UM, THERE'S A DIFFERENCE IN ATTITUDE FROM ONE OWNER TO THE NEXT AND PERHAPS EVEN A PROFESSIONAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ONE MANAGEMENT COMPANY AND ANOTHER.
SO I I'M, I THINK WHAT THIS ORDINANCE IS TRYING TO DO IS RAISE THE STANDARD ACROSS THE BOARD.
SO GLEN MENTIONED, UH, PROPOSED A FORM.
UH, I WOULD SUPPORT THE STAFF, LOOK INTO THAT AND, UH, FULL COUNCIL CAN, UH, MAKE ITS DECISION.
UH, WHEN WE, WHEN WE REVIEW THIS AT THE NEXT MEETING, I UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE OF AN HOUR RESPONSE TIME.
I HAVE TO SAY I'M A LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE WHERE THE LANGUAGE IS TODAY, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SOLUTION IS THERE BECAUSE WE HAVE PROPERTY OWNERS, FULL-TIME RESIDENTS, AND PERHAPS SOMETIMES EVEN VISITORS WHO ARE UNABLE TO SLEEP OR WHO HAVE TO CLEAN UP TRASH OR WHATEVER.
AND SO I THINK THAT THIS ORDINANCE TO BE SUCCESSFUL HAS TO HAVE SOME TEETH
[01:20:01]
IN IT.AND THIS IS ONE PLACE WHERE I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE, BUT I'LL ALSO ADD AFTER HAVING SAID THAT, THAT ANY ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL, ANY POLICEMEN, ANY PERSON WHO IS MAKING A JUDGMENT ON SOMEBODY ELSE HAS TO USE DISCRETION AND EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE IS DIFFERENT.
AND THERE'S NO WAY THAT IN THIS ORDINANCE, WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO USE LANGUAGE THAT ANTICIPATES ALL THOSE DIFFERENT EXAMPLES.
SO I SUPPORT THE ONE HOUR TO MOVE IT FORWARD.
I THINK ALEX BROUGHT UP A VERY IMPORTANT POINT WHEN HE CONNECTED THE IMPACTS OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS TO THE DEMAND THAT WE HAVE, AND PERHAPS THE INADEQUATE SUPPLY WE HAVE OF WELL-TRAINED EMPLOYEES ON THE ISLAND.
AND SO AT SOME POINT WE HAVE TO START SOLVING THAT PROBLEM, AND I'M WILLING TO EXPLORE WHAT THAT MIGHT MEAN IN TERMS OF THIS FI TAMMY MENTIONED CORE VALUES.
AND I REALLY THINK THAT HITS THE CRUX OF OUR CHALLENGE HERE BECAUSE SO MANY OF THE SHORT-TERM RENTALS HAVE BECOME JUST A CAPITAL ASSET AND INVENT INVESTMENT TOOL WITH ALMOST NO KNOWLEDGE, AGAIN, 80, 20% RULE, ALMOST NO KNOWLEDGE OR CARE WHAT MAKES THIS TOWN TICK OR WHAT THE FOUNDATION IS IN WHICH IT WAS BUILT.
AND SO I THINK, AGAIN, THE COMPLEXITY OF THE BALANCING ACT THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACHIEVE HERE, CAN'T BE UNDERESTIMATED OR OVERESTIMATED.
SO I I'M PREPARED TO VOTE THIS FORWARD TODAY AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SOME THINGS AREN'T PERFECT, BUT IN THE NEXT CONVENIENT INTERVENING TWO WEEKS STAFF LAWYERS WILL PROVIDE US RESPONSE TO THE CONCERNS THAT WERE RAISED TODAY.
AND WOULD YOU LIKE TO, AND THEN I'D LIKE TO ASK, UH, FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS.
WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO CONTINUE ON TO NO.
SO I WANT TO DEAL, I WANT TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE FIRST.
NOW, UNDER NORMAL ROBERT'S RULES OF ALL ORDER, WE WOULD MAKE THE MOTION AT THIS TIME.
UM, AND THEN INVITE PUBLIC COMMENTS.
IS THERE A MOTION TO MOVE THIS FORWARD? MR. CHAIRMAN? I WOULD MOVE THAT THE PUBLIC COMMITTEE, UH, RECOMMEND ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE, UH, TO THE FULL TOWN COUNCIL, SUBJECT TO SUCH REVISIONS BY THE TOWN COUNCIL AS MAYBE A GRATE UPON AT THE TIME OF THAT HEARING.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT MOTION? I'LL SECOND.
KRISTA, DID YOU CALL THE ROLL PLEASE? YES, SIR.
UM, WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR AND A SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS, MR. DAILY, DAVID, I WOULD LIKE FOR EACH MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC TO IDENTIFY WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE A RESIDENT AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE A, THE OWNER OF A SHORT-TERM RENTAL AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE REPRESENTING A MANAGEMENT COMPANY.
I LIVE IN FOREST SPEECH AND EXCUSE ME, JACK.
AND PLEASE, IF YOU'RE ADDRESSING THE COUNCIL, TRY TO, UM, SPEAK JUST FOR THREE MINUTES.
UM, VERY BRIEFLY 10 TO 45 B UH, IF YOU'LL READ THAT WITH ME, SHORT-TERM RENTAL PROPERTIES MUST BE PROBLEM MAINTAINED AND INSPECTED BY THE OWNER OF SHORT TERM RENTAL AGENT TO ENSURE CONTINUED COMPLIANCE WITH THIS CHAPTER AND ALL OTHER APPLICABLE ZONING BUILDING AND HEALTH FIRE SAFETY CODE REQUIREMENTS.
WHEN YOU BUY A HOUSE AS AN INVESTMENT TOOL, YOU ARE NOT BESTOWED WITH THE ABILITIES OF A FIRE INSPECTOR,
[01:25:01]
SOMEONE WHO KNOWS NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE, UM, OR ANY OTHER FIRE SAFETY PERSON, IT DOESN'T COME WITH IT LIKE SOME KIND OF BARONIAL TITLE TO A BIG ESTATE.UM, AND SO WE'RE ASSUMING NOW, YES, THIS PERSON IS ACCOUNTABLE.
THE OWNER IS ACCOUNTABLE OR SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE, SHOULD BE HELD RELIABLE.
AND HE IS AT FAULT FOR THESE PROBLEMS, BUT HE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THESE PROBLEMS. HE DOESN'T KNOW IF HE'S IN GOOD STANDING.
SO IF YOU GIVE THEM A SHEET IN AFFIDAVIT, ALL HE'S GOTTA DO IS AS FAR AS I KNOW, THIS ALL LOOKS GOOD.
HE CHECKS IT AND THEN YOU ACCEPT IT.
YOU BOTH HAVE PAUSABLE LIABILITY, BUT LIKE DAVID SAID, YOU HAVEN'T MOVED THE NEEDLE FORWARD ON SAFETY.
THAT'S JUST PLAUSIBLE DENIABILITY.
AND IF THAT'S GOING TO BE THE TOWN STANDARD, THEN, PLEASE JOSH.
WHEN YOU SEND ME MY FORM ABOUT HOSPITALITY TAX, WE SAY, JACK, DO YOU OWE THE TOWNIE MONEY? AS FAR AS YOU KNOW, I'LL CHECK.
NO, BUT FOR THAT, THE TOWN REQUIRES DOCUMENTATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
SO IF WE'RE FOR REALNESS ORDINANCE, WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE THINGS BETTER.
WE NEED DOCUMENTATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY AND THEY CAN HIRE FIRE SAFETY OR SOME OTHER PERSON THAT'S QUALIFIED ON OUTSIDE TO COME IN AND INSPECT THOSE THINGS YEARLY.
CAUSE LIKE GLEN SAID, SOME OF THESE HORSES HAD BEEN OUT OF THE BARN FOR MANY YEARS AND FOREST BEACH AND THEY'RE FRANKENSTEIN HOUSES AND THEY WERE DONE WITH NOT UP TO CODE AND DONE UNSAFELY.
AND UH, WE NEED TO FIND THOSE BECAUSE IT'S, IT'S ASKING FOR A PROBLEM.
TH THIS TAMRA KNOW THAT HER GAS LINE WORKS SAFELY OR NOT.
AND WE'LL FIND OUT DOES AN OWNER WHO LIVES OUT OF STATE BECAUSE THEY'RE OBVIOUSLY RENTING THE HOUSE OUT.
THAT'S, THAT'S A LOT OF ASSUMPTION TO SAY THAT SOMEONE IS INVESTOR UNDERSTANDS EVERY DETAIL IN THE SAFETY OF THAT HOUSE.
AND IS IT SAFE? AND IT WASN'T CONSTRUCTED SAFELY.
SO PLEASE ON THAT ONE, YOU NEED, WE HAVE A WONDERFUL FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT.
WE CAN ADD AN EXTRA FEE AND THOSE GUYS ON THE SIDE CAN MAKE ANOTHER A HUNDRED BUCKS FOR A UNIT GOING THROUGH THERE AND LOOKING FOR PROFESSIONAL THINGS.
AND SO IF WE'RE GOING TO RAISE THE STANDARD, LET'S START THERE WITH SAFETY.
I MEAN, SAFETY REQUIRES ACCOUNTABILITY, NOT JUST DENIABILITY.
SO PLEASE LET'S HAVE THE PROS DO THAT.
I'M MOVED HERE TO A COMMUNITY THAT SPECIFICALLY DOES NOT ALLOW SHORT-TERM RENTALS.
UM, BUT I'M SPEAKING TODAY BECAUSE I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF ADOPTING ANY REGULATION ON SHORT-TERM RENTAL.
FIRST OF ALL, I AGREE WITH MR. DAILY THERE'S, TO ME, THERE'S AN IMPLIED EXPOSURE TO LIABILITY.
IF THE TOWN ISSUES A PERMIT FOR A PROPERTY THAT, THAT THE TOWN CAN'T VERIFY IS SUITABLE AND SAFE FOR OCCUPANCY.
SO FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN SOMEONE BUILDS A HOUSE, THEY GET A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY.
IF THE TOWN IS REGULATING THIS AND CHARGING A FEE FOR A PERMIT, I WOULD THINK IT WOULD BE WISE FOR THE TOWN TO INSIST THAT THE RENTAL PROPERTY AT LEAST COMPLIES WITH MINIMUM SAFETY STANDARDS VIA A THIRD PARTY INSPECTION.
UM, SECONDLY, EQUITABLE IMPACT IS OF CONCERN.
I THINK THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOMEONE WHO OWNS AND PERHAPS LEASES THEIR RENTS, THEIR UNIT, UM, AS AN INDIVIDUAL OWNER VERSUS A, AN INVESTOR WHO COMES IN LOOKING TO, UM, CAPITALIZE ON OUR MARKET.
UM, I ALSO HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE, HOW YOU ARE DIFFERENTIATING SHORT SHORT-TERM RENTAL UNITS FROM SHORT TERM OCCUPANCY TIMESHARE UNITS, JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE OWNS A PORTION OF AN, A RIGHT TO OCCUPY A UNIT, UH, UNDER TIMESHARE.
I DON'T SEE MUCH DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF THE COMMUNITY IMPACT OF THOSE FOLKS COMING IN FOR THEIR WEEK OF THE YEAR VERSUS SOMEONE COMING IN ON A, ON A RENTAL BASIS.
SO I'M NOT SURE WHY THIS WOULDN'T ALSO APPLY THE TIME SHARES.
AND THIRDLY, EVERY TIME THE TOWN ADOPTS A POLICY, I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE VIABILITY OF OUR ENFORCEMENT.
UM, WHEN WE HAVE SOMEONE LIKE THE SHERIFF WHO HAS SAID I'M PROVIDING EQUITABLE SERVICES, UM, EVERYWHERE I'M OPERATING AND I WILL NOT IMPLEMENT SPECIFIC TOWN ORDINANCES ABOVE AND BEYOND THE COUNTY ORDINANCES.
UH, I THINK THAT IT WILL BE IMPERATIVE FOR THE TOWN TO HAVE ITS OWN CODE ENFORCEMENT.
AND I THINK MANAGING THIS ONE IS GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF RESOURCES AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE TOWN IS PREPARED TO HIRE SUFFICIENT PEOPLE, TO ENFORCE THIS ALONG WITH OUR OTHER ISSUES.
[01:30:02]
OTHERS.UH, I PROBABLY HAVE A LONGER CONNECTION TO HILTON HEAD.
ANYONE, AS FAR AS I KNOW, THIS IS MY 51ST YEAR.
UH, I RETIRED HERE BECAUSE OF COVID AND BECAME A FULL-TIME RESIDENT ON THE FIRST OF THE YEAR, GETTING ALL THE PAPERWORK FINALLY FINISHED TO GET A DRIVER'S LICENSE AND SO FORTH AND WOULD NOT BE OFF THE GOLF COURSE, EXCEPT THAT THIS IS PROBABLY THE WORST DRAFTING AND LEGAL WORK THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN.
I'VE BEEN A LAWYER CLERK FOR THE SOUTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT TAUGHT IN THE LAW SCHOOL IN COLUMBIA.
IF YOU WILL LOOK AT THE DEFINITION OF SHORT TERM OCCUPANCY, THE SHORT TERM RENTAL PARAGRAPH F ANY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY IN THE MUNICIPAL LIMITS OF THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD THAT IN WHOLE OR PART IS OFFERED FOR LEASE OR OCCUPANCY UNDER A LEASE OR ANY OTHER FORM OF AGREEMENT FOR PERIODS OF LESS THAN 30 DAYS.
IF MY WIFE AND I ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH A COUPLE FROM FRANCE TO EXCHANGE PROPERTIES FOR TWO WEEKS, SOMEBODY'S REQUIRES ME TO GET A PERMIT, GO THROUGH AN INSPECTION, PAY $250.
IF I'M AN ECCENTRIC AND I HAVE GOLDFISH AND A CAT, AND I WANT TO LEAVE FOR A WEEK AND I HIRED A COLLEGE STUDENT TO COME AND STAY MY UNIT FOR A WEEK, I HAVE TO GET A PERMIT FOR $250.
THAT'S HOW BADLY WRITTEN THIS ORDINANCE IS.
AND THAT TOOK ME ABOUT SIX SECONDS TO UNDERSTAND IT NOW, BUT BECAUSE I'M OPPOSED TO THE ORDINANCE, I'M NOT GOING TO SIT HERE AND ALUMINATE YOU WITH WHAT ANY GOOD PHILADELPHIA LAWYER WILL TELL YOU ABOUT HOW TO GET AROUND IT.
WITHIN FIVE TO 10 SECONDS, I CAN WRITE A LEGAL AGREEMENT THAT COMPLETELY CIRCUMVENTS THIS ORDINANCE.
I WON'T TELL YOU HOW OR WHY, BUT I WILL ONLY LEAVE YOU WITH THIS MENTAL IMPRESSION.
LET'S ASSUME I HAD NOT GIVEN UP THE PRACTICE OF REAL ESTATE LAW.
AND I'M IN MY OFFICE ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON HERE.
AND I GET A CALL FROM THE TITLE COMPANY AND THEY HAVE A COUPLE WITH A MOVING VAN THAT WANTS TO MOVE INTO A NEW HOUSE ON SEA PINES.
AND THE WIRE TRANSFER IS MESSED UP AND THEY CAN'T CLOSE.
NOW, ANY REAL ESTATE LAWYER IN THE WESTERN WORLD WOULD SAY, SIGN A LEASE.
IF SOMETHING GOES HAYWIRE, IT'S SIMPLER THAN TOMORROW, BUT THIS AGREEMENT, BECAUSE IT SAYS ANY AGREEMENT FOR OCCUPANCY UNDER 30 DAYS MAKES THAT VERY SIMPLE, COMMON PRACTICE TO CLOSE REAL ESTATE IN ST.
WHEN YOU HAVE TITLE PROBLEMS ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON AT FOUR O'CLOCK THAT YOU CANNOT RESOLVE ILLEGAL.
IF SOMEBODY WANTED TO ASK ME, I COULD PROBABLY TELL YOU FOR TWO WEEKS THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS.
THANK YOU, MS. DAVIS, ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS? YES.
UH, I'M AN ISLAND RESIDENT AND, UH, I WORK IN THE VACATION RENTAL INDUSTRY AND MY COMPANY CURRENTLY MANAGES A HUNDRED UNITS.
UM, AND IT'S ISLAND TIME HILTON HEAD.
UM, I HAD PREPARED A SPEECH, BUT I WANTED TO JUST TAKE A MINUTE.
AND YOU ALL BROUGHT UP REALLY VALID POINTS IN YOUR COMMENTS.
I THINK THAT ONE THING THAT REALLY SET A TONE WITH ME IS FAIR AND PREDICTABLE.
WE WANT TO SET UP SOMETHING THAT IS FAIR AND PREDICTABLE FOR THE FUTURE.
WE WERE ABOUT TO PUT, PASS SOMETHING OUT OF COMMITTEE AND TO THE TOWN COUNCIL FOR YOUR REVISIONS, NOT PUBLIC COMMENT AND REVISION THAT WILL THEN A LAW THAT WE WILL ALL HAVE TO ABIDE
[01:35:01]
BY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AS SOON AS IT IS IN PLAY.EVEN THOUGH IT IS SET FOR JANUARY OF 2023, IT IS A LEGAL ORDINANCE.
I ASK THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF THAT AS THIS IS OUR LARGEST ECONOMIC DRIVER FOR OUR AREA.
AND WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR RESIDENTS, YOU'RE LOOKING AT ONE, THIS ROOM IS FULL OF RESIDENTS.
ALL OF THESE PEOPLE THAT WORK IN THIS INDUSTRY ARE RESIDENTS.
SO DON'T SIT THERE AND TRY TO TELL US THAT IT'S ONLY FOR A CERTAIN PORTION.
SO WE ASK THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF WHAT THAT WILL HAVE AS NOT ONLY AN ECONOMIC DRIVER.
WE TALK ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THE LARGEST LAND HOLDER IN THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD IS THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD THROUGH PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.
THAT IS NOT THE FAULT OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS.
WE ARE NOT IN A POSITION THAT THAT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY.
SO I ASKED THAT YOU TRULY UNDERSTAND WE ARE GOING TO PASS THIS OUT OF COMMITTEE.
WE DON'T KNOW THE NUMBER OF RENTAL PROPERTIES ON THE ISLAND.
WE NOW ARE TALKING ABOUT MULTIPLE PERMITS AND LICENSES THAT INCREASE THE COST.
WE DON'T EVEN KNOW IF MY BUSINESS IS POSSIBLY GOING TO BE, UH, AT RISK IF THERE IS A VIOLATION, BUT THIS COULD GO TO COUNCIL AND BE ENACTED.
I ASK THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THE GRAVITY OF WHAT THAT MEANS FOR THE IMPACT ON OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND ITS RESIDENTS.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS? YES MA'AM.
LAURA HOLTZMAN NORTH FOREST BEACH HAS A 20 YEARS LAST WEEK.
ME AND MY HUSBAND, WHO I, WHO JUST PASSED.
WE OWN 40 FOR 47 YEARS BETWEEN CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, BRECKENRIDGE, NEW YORK CITY, NEW JERSEY, THIS DEVELOPED INTO OUR BUSINESS.
AND WHEN WE DISCOVERED AFTER NINE 11, WE FOUND HILTON HEAD, EVEN THOUGH I'M BORN AND BRED NEW YORKER, BEST PLACE WE EVER SAW, WE SAW THAT WE COULD AFFORD IT BECAUSE OF CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT WE WANT IT TO BE ABLE TO RATE WHAT WE OWNED IN NEW YORK CITY, THE LAWS CHANGE.
SEE, IT TURNED INTO BROOKLYN AND NEW YORK CITY AND DENVER AND PREK, RICH AND CALIFORNIA.
SO ALL I'M TALKING ABOUT, I'M A SINGLE PERSON, ONE HOUSE.
I'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR 20 YEARS.
THE RBO, I HAVE NEVER HAD A COMPLAINT.
YOU TALKED ABOUT, MY PEOPLE THROUGH VRP, OH, GET IT.
IF THEY COMPLAIN, YOU CALL ME, THEY'RE GONE.
NEVER IN 20 YEARS, ONE TRASH THING.
I HAVE A BIG TRASH THING ABOUT DOUBLE, DOUBLE BAGGING BEHIND THE FENCE.
WE DON'T EVEN HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE CURB.
AND I TELL THEM DON'T CAUSE THAT'S PART OF MY CONTRACT.
AND I HAVE ONE COMPLAINT TO ME.
I DON'T NEED, ARE THEY GOING TO CALL YOU LIKE SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS THAT I'VE GOTTEN BECAUSE WE HAVE PALMETTO BUGS ALSO KNOWN AS ROACHES IN NEW YORK, OR IS THAT GOING TO BE A COMPLAINT? I HAVE EXTERMINATORS, BUT WE LIVE.
WE LIVE ON A SWAMP FOR PETE'S SAKES ON A SLAB.
I HAVE FOUR BEDROOMS, THREE BATHS, A GREAT BIG BACKYARD THAT WE DEVELOPED.
AND I PAY ON MY 2100, NOT MCMANSION MY 2100 HOME, WHICH IS MY TOTAL HOME NOW WITHOUT MY HUSBAND.
IN FACT PAY TAX AND THE ACCOMMODATION TAXES, WHICH WHEN BUSINESS IS GOOD, MY CUSTOMERS PAY, BUT WE'VE HAD UPS AND DOWNS WHERE I PAID IT.
AND I'M GOING TO FIND OUT, SOMEONE'S GOING TO CALL BECAUSE OF A LOUD PARTY.
MY PEOPLE HAVE TO BE IN, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO HAVE SOME NAZI PERSON GOING UP TO THE STREET AT 10 0 1 TO DRAG THEM IN.
AND MY NEIGHBORS KNOW THAT IT WAS EVERYBODY IN MY CIRCUMSTANCES.
THERE WE DON'T HAVE, I DON'T WANT MCMANSIONS.
[01:40:01]
THAT CHANGED WHEN WE FIRST STARTED COMING BACK AND IT BROKE MY HEART AND THE STUFF THAT WE HAD TO GO THROUGH TO REMOVE SOME OF THOSE TREES, WHATEVER THEY WERE IN OUR BACKYARD, WHICH WAS A SWAMP, WE NEED PERMITS.I DON'T, I DON'T LIKE THAT PORTION OF IT, BUT THIS IS MY BUSINESS, MY HOME I PAY.
AND WE WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LIVE HERE.
IF WE HADN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO WHAT WE'RE DOING.
SO WATCH OUT, LOOK WHAT HAPPENED TO PRIVILEGE.
YOU EVER SEEN THOSE DEPARTMENTS.
THEY'RE FORGETS SMALLER WITH MORE RULES THAT RULES AND RULES.
MA'AM MY NAME IS LISA ROBERTS.
I'M A SHORT-TERM PROPERTY OWNER AND I'M A PRINCIPAL IN A SHORT-TERM MANAGEMENT COMPANY, WHICH WE TAKE VERY MUCH PRIDE IN MANAGING OUR GUESTS AND OUR PROPERTIES.
WE HAVE ALL LOCAL PEOPLE WORKING WITH US THAT GREW UP HERE.
WE TAKE CONSIDERABLE TIME AND A PERSON IN OUR PROPERTY HAS THE ON-CALL PHONE, BUT THERE STILL COULD BE A CHANCE THAT THEY DIDN'T ANSWER THAT PHONE ONE OR TWO TIMES.
AND WHAT HAPPENS THAT PROPERTY MIGHT GET PENALIZED THE PROPERTIES EACH HAVE A BUILDING PERMIT, I MEAN A BUSINESS LICENSE.
SO THAT PERMIT WOULD BE GOING TOWARDS THAT PROPERTY.
SO ARE WE LOOKING AT THAT PROPERTY GETTING PENALIZED OR THE MANAGEMENT COMPANY? UH, WE'VE HAD INSTANCE ALSO THAT YOU CALL THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND THEY DON'T EVEN RESPOND WITHIN AN HOUR.
I BELIEVE AN HOUR IS PUTTING A LITTLE BIT TOO MUCH CONSTRAINT ON, UH, ON REASONABLY RESPONDING TO ANY PROBLEMS. UM, AND JUST WANTED YOU GUYS TO TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION IF YOU CAN.
AND ALSO IF WE ALL AGREE THAT THERE SHOULD BE SOME ORDINANCE AND SOME BALANCE, BUT WE NEED TO, I THINK REALLY WORK ON THIS AND NOT PUSH IT THROUGH.
WE NEED TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT WILL LAST AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT HAS TO BE CHANGED EVERY SIX MONTHS, EVERY YEAR, MOVING FORWARD.
HI, UH, ROBERT RAINY, UH, RESIDENT SINCE 81, I HAVE REMAX SOLID REALTY AND WE DO A LISTING AND SALES DON'T DO RENTALS.
UM, I TOOK SOME NOTES WHAT YOU'RE PROPOSING TO MOVE FORWARD.
AND I THINK WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE.
AS FAR AS KEEPING HILTON, HEAD BEING NICE AND CLEAN AND A GOOD PLACE, SAFE PLACE TO BE.
UM, A COUPLE OF THINGS CONCERN ME.
UM, I MEAN, WHAT'S THE STOP NEIGHBOR LIVING HERE THAT JUST DOESN'T LIKE RENTALS AND WE'RE OVER HERE.
WE HAVE A HOUSE THAT HAS RENTALS THAT'S BY RIGHT ALLOWED TO DO THIS.
THEY PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL.
THEY BECOME THEY'RE THE NUISANCE.
SO THAT CONCERNS ME OF BEING ACCUSED OF SOMETHING YOU'RE NOT DOING BECAUSE THEY JUST DON'T LIKE IT AND THEY KNOW THE RULES.
AND SO TWO STRIKES YOU'RE OUT THAT'S AND THEN WHAT IF YOU DO RENT? I MEAN, WE CAN'T RENT.
I SAID WE I'M NOT RUNNING A COMPANY, BUT THE RENTAL COMPANIES, THEY CAN'T PICK AND CHOOSE WHO THEY CAN RENT TO.
THEY ANSWER A RESERVATION, THEY PUT A CREDIT CARD DOWN, THEY SHOW UP, THEY RENT THE HOUSE.
SO WHAT IF YOU HAVE AN UNRULY GUEST, DOES THAT PROPERTY OWNER OR COMPANY GET IN TROUBLE OR DO THEY GET THAT CALL THE ANSWER IN AN HOUR OR WHATEVER'S FAIR.
AND THEY ADDRESS THAT PROBLEM.
DO THEY STILL GET THAT STRIKE? SO MOVING FORWARD IN POSING THESE LAWS, WHICH I CALL RESTRICTIONS AND LAWS, WHICH ARE GOOD, BUT THEY'RE ALSO CAN HURT.
SO PLEASE THINK ABOUT ANY AT ALL.
UM, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU PLAY A GAME, IF YOU KNOW ALL THE RULES, IT'S EASY TO FIGURE IT OUT.
IF THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY IN THE POT AND SOMETHING COMES UP, IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY IN THE POT.
AND YOU BELIEVE WHAT YOU BELIEVE.
SO HOW DO WE FIGURE IT OUT? UM, I THINK WHEN YOU SAY THAT YOU GET A, IF YOU DO TAKE THE LICENSE, SAY THIS HOUSE IS A NUISANCE AND I'M SURE THERE ARE SOME PLACES THAT CONTINUALLY HAVE REAL ISSUES AND REAL PROBLEMS. PROBABLY NOT MANY, OR WE WOULDN'T BE IN BUSINESS AS LONG.
SO A FEW, WHICH IS PROBABLY A BIG NUMBER BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF REYNOLDS EVERY WEEK, TIMES, 8,000 OR TIMES 10, WHATEVER IT IS, THAT'S A LOT.
SO IF WE DO HAVE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS, IT'S A SMALL NUMBER IN THE BIG PICTURE.
HOWEVER, IT'S NOT, IF YOU'RE THAT NEIGHBOR, I UNDERSTAND.
SO WE HAVE TO TRY TO WORK TOGETHER, BE REALISTIC AND BE FAIR.
[01:45:01]
ALL I'M ASKING.MOVING FORWARD TO PLEASE TRY TO HAVE A THINK TANK OF SCENARIOS OF WHAT CAN HAPPEN.
AND IF THIS HOUSE IS A PROBLEM, DOES THAT HOUSE GET THAT STAMP OF NEVER GETTING AN APPROVAL OR DOES THAT HOMEOWNER, OR DO YOU HAVE TO CHANGE RENTAL COMPANIES OR DO I JUST SAY COOL, I'M MOVING TO ANOTHER LLC.
I GO AHEAD AND GET A LICENSE AND BOOM, BACK IN BUSINESS.
WHAT ABOUT IF YOU SAY THIS YOU'RE IN TROUBLE, YOU'RE A NUISANCE.
WHAT ABOUT THE GUESTS AND THAT RESERVATIONS THAT ARE ALREADY ON HAND FOR NEXT WEEK AND THE NEXT WEEK? WHAT DO YOU DO ABOUT THAT? BECAUSE THE RENTAL ACT SAYS YOU HAVE 90 DAYS WHEN PROPERTY CHANGES DEET.
SO JUST SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.
I THINK I WILL GO TO MY MINUTES, BUT THANK YOU.
ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS? YES, GOOD MORNING.
UM, PAUL SEGO, SENIOR GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MANAGER FOR THE EAST COAST FOR EXPEDIA GROUP.
UH, VRBO IS OUR VACATION RENTAL BRAND.
I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THIS PROCESS.
UH, IT'S BEEN ONE OF THE MOST OPEN AND WELCOMING, FRANKLY, FROM OUR POINT OF VIEW THAT WE'VE SEEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
THANK YOU TO YOUR STAFF, UH, AND HAS BEEN WONDERFUL TO WORK WITH.
UM, WE'VE REACHED OUT TO HER A COUPLE OF TIMES.
THANK YOU ALL FOR TAKING TIME TO HEAR FROM US, TO HEAR FROM OWNERS, UM, FROM, FROM RENTERS ON OUR PLATFORM LIKE MS. LARA WHO SPOKE A COUPLE OF PEOPLE AGO.
UH, WE, I SAID THIS WHEN I SORT OF INTRODUCED MYSELF TO YOU VIA EMAIL EXPEDIA GROUP WANTS TO BE A RESOURCE TO YOU AS YOU GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS.
UM, YOU'VE BEEN GREAT AND HEARING FROM US.
AND SO AS, AS THIS ISSUE MOVES TO FULL COUNCIL, WE'D STILL LIKE TO BE A RESOURCE AS COUNCIL GOES TO WHAT WE'RE CALLING TIER TWO AND THOSE SORTS OF BIGGER PICTURE, STILL UP TO BE A RESOURCE.
SO, UH, JUST THANK YOU FOR THIS PROCESS AND, UH, APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
I AM SUSAN TREADAWAY AND I WORK FOR A RENTAL COMPANY HERE ON THE ISLAND AND WE MANAGE 120 PROPERTIES.
UM, I ALSO LIVE IN NORTH FAR SPEECH AND LIKE AL BROWN.
UM, AND WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT, UH, I DON'T KNOW WHY I'M CRYING, UM, WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE MISERABLE, THE NEIGHBORS BEING MISERABLE.
I THINK THAT PERSON'S JUST A MISERABLE PERSON.
I MEAN, I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY WANT PEACE OF MIND AND THEY WANT, UM, THEY WANT TO LIVE IN THE, IN THE AREA THAT THEY THOUGHT THEY WERE MOVING INTO.
BUT YOU KNOW, I LIVE IN NORTH FOREST BEACH.
I LOVE, LOVE SEEING THE FAMILIES WALK TO THE BEACH AND THE, THE JOY THAT THEY HAVE BY BEING HERE.
I'VE BEEN IN THE RENTAL BUSINESS FOR 15 YEARS.
I'VE HAD FIVE, FIVE SITUATIONS WHERE I HAD TO CALL A GUEST AND TELL THEM THAT THEY WERE BEING LOUD.
I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE MAIN COMPLAINT IS.
WHAT IS THE MAIN COMPLAINT THAT, THAT, THAT YOU ALL HAVE HEARD FROM THE NEIGHBORS? OR IS IT NOISE? IS IT, IS IT BASICALLY THE NOISE OR, UM, IN THESE PUBLIC COMMENTS COUNCIL DOESN'T RESPOND.
UM, WELL, IF IT IS, AND AGAIN, I'VE HAD FIVE COMPLAINTS PROBABLY IN 13 YEARS.
UM, WE DEAL WITH IT IMMEDIATELY AND, AND WE, WE CALL THE SHERIFF.
I MEAN, YOU KNOW, AND LIKE LISA SAID, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T COME IN AN HOUR, BUT I FEEL LIKE YOU GUYS BEING INVOLVED IN THAT IS JUST LIKE LAURA SAID, WE DON'T NEED YOU TO BE INVOLVED IN AN, OUR UNRULY GUESTS.
WE DO, WE DO A REALLY GOOD JOB OF IT AND WE DON'T HAVE VERY MANY OF THEM.
I'M A FULL-TIME RESIDENCE HERE ON HILTON HEAD.
AND I ALSO WORK FOR A SHORT TERM VACATION RENTAL COMPANY, UM, FOR THE PAST 12 YEARS.
SO JUST A COUPLE OF RANDOM COMMENTS THAT HAVE COME TO MIND DURING THIS MEETING IS ONE.
WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY SHORT-TERM RENTALS THERE ARE ON THE ISLAND.
IT'S CLEAR, WE'VE THROWN OUT 6,000, 7,000, 10,000.
HOW MANY ARE THERE? AND THEN HOW MANY
[01:50:01]
PROPERTIES ARE THERE ON THE ISLAND? I'D LIKE TO KNOW THE RATIO.UM, WE TALKED ABOUT PEOPLE MOVING HERE, NOT WANTING TO BE NEIGHBORS WITH A SHORT-TERM RENTAL PROPERTY.
HOW MANY COMMUNITIES ARE THERE ON THE ISLAND THAT DON'T ALLOW THAT, THAT THEY HAVE THE OPTION TO MOVE TO.
SO IT'S NOT LIKE THEY DON'T HAVE THAT OPTION.
THERE'S SO MANY AVAILABLE CONDOS HOMES, WHATEVER IT IS, THEY HAVE THAT OPTION.
I LIVE IN A SHORT-TERM RENTAL COMMUNITY.
I LOVE SEEING ALL THESE VACATIONERS COME HUGE SMILES ON THEIR FACES.
I SEE THE KIDS WITH THEIR BOOGIE BOARDS GETTING ON THEIR BIKES, ONE OF THE BEACH.
THEY'RE ACTUALLY NICER THAN MY NEIGHBORS WHO LIVE THERE.
UM, I DEAL WITH THAT ON A DAILY BASIS FROM THE MANAGEMENT SIDE OF THINGS, ARE WE GOING TO BE HOLDING THE TRASH COMPANY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR NOT MISSING A PICKUP, WHICH THEY SO OFTEN DO.
UH, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO CALL THEM AND THEY HAVE TO GO BACK OUT.
SO WE DO WHAT WE CAN, BUT IF WE'RE NOT HOLDING THE TRASH COMPANY RESPONSIBLE, HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO OUR JOBS? UM, SECONDLY FIRE RESCUE, UM, OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, WE ARE UNDERSTAFFED AS IS, AND NOW YOU WANT TO PUT MORE, UH, TASKS ON THEM.
IF SOMEONE'S COMPLAINING ABOUT NOISE, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T EVEN SHOW UP.
THEY SAY THEY HAVE OTHER THINGS TO DO.
UM, THE POINTS OF QUIET HOURS BETWEEN 10 AND SEVEN.
I KNOW FOR A FACT, PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO CALL AT 10:01 PM EVERY SINGLE TIME, BECAUSE THEY ARE UNHAPPY THAT THEY LIVE NEXT TO A SHORT-TERM RENTAL PROPERTY THAT WAS THERE BEFORE THEY EVEN BUILT THE HOUSE.
SO HOW DO WE DEAL WITH THAT? HOW DO WE DEAL WITH THESE REPEAT COMPLAINER'S WHO AT 10 0 1 ARE GOING TO BE CALLING BECAUSE 16 PEOPLE ARE OUT THERE ENJOYING DINNER WHO ARE TALKING.
UM, THANK YOU GUYS FOR YOUR TIME.
I REALLY WASN'T PREPARED TO SAY ANYTHING.
MY NAME IS GINA FAUCET FARMAN AND I'VE LIVED HERE NEARLY 25 YEARS, AND I ACTUALLY OWN A COUPLE OF SHORT TERM RENTALS, AND I MANAGED A FEW RENTALS THAT I'VE SOLD IN THE PAST.
I WORKED FOR RE MYSELF IN REAL ESTATE, AS YOU CAN SEE, AND I HAVE SOLD QUITE A FEW PROPERTIES IN THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL MARKET, AND MY BUYERS ARE CALLING ME CONSISTENTLY WANTING TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL MARKET.
AND I REALLY DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER FOR, FOR THEM, BUT I CAN TELL YOU AS OWNER OF A COUPLE OF VILLAS MYSELF, IF I EVER HAVE A PROBLEM, I MEAN, I'VE BEEN THERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.
I'VE GOTTEN UP FROM HER TABLE ON NEW YEAR'S EVE BECAUSE, UH, THE CLEANING PEOPLE HADN'T CLEANED THE PROPERTIES.
AND I TAKE MY BUSINESS SERIOUSLY AND I TAKE MY CLIENTS SERIOUSLY.
AND I THINK PEOPLE, IF YOU TREAT THEM THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED, THEN YOU CAN BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS MARKET.
AND THEN WE DON'T NEED ALL THAT OTHER KIND OF, UH, WHATEVER.
I JUST THINK THAT THEY KEEP THAT ISLAND BEAUTIFUL.
AND THE WAY THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT I SAW WHEN I MOVED HERE, AS TAMRA SAID, AND OUR MONEY COMES FROM THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL MARKET, BASICALLY WITH ALL OUR RESTAURANTS AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT.
AND I UNDERSTAND WE NEED SOME MORE HOUSING.
I JUST NOT SURE WHAT THE ANSWER IS RIGHT NOW.
AND I DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD MOVE TOO FAST WITH ALL THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL COMPANIES HERE THAT HAS INVESTMENTS AND WHAT THEY DO AND WHAT THEY LOVE DOING AND WHERE THEY LOVE TO LIVE THAT.
AND THAT'S JUST MY CONCERN AND I JUST HOPE THAT WE CAN COME TO SOME CONCLUSION WITHOUT JUMPING TO, UM, YOU KNOW, MAKE QUICK DECISIONS.
GONNA GIVE EVERYBODY A CHANCE.
I'M A RESIDENT BEEN HERE SINCE, UH, 97 BEEN COMING HERE SINCE 73 AS A KID.
UH, I'M AN OWNER, PRESIDENT AND BROKER IN CHARGE OF CHARTER ONE REALTY.
AND, UH, CAN YOU, MS. BECKER, CAN YOU HOLD UP THAT MAP FOR A SECOND? YUP.
SO THE VAST MAJORITY OF THAT MAP, UH, IT IS WHERE RESIDENT PEOPLE THAT LIVE HERE FULL TIME TEND TO LIVE.
UH, W WE HAVE, UH, AREAS THAT, UH, OF THE ISLAND THAT HAVE HISTORICALLY FOR AS LONG AS I'VE COME HERE, UH, BEEN, UH, IN THE RENTAL MARKET, YOU BROUGHT UP A CONCEPT OF LEARNED HELPLESSNESS.
THERE'S ALSO A CONCEPT IN THE LAW.
I'M A FORMER LAWYER TO RECOVERY.
[01:55:01]
THERE'S A CONCEPT IN THE LAW CALLED COMING TO THE NUISANCE.AND WE HAVE PLENTY OF AREAS ON THE ISLAND WHERE, WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE TO COME TO THE NUISANCE.
IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE AROUND IT, YOU CAN ALSO BE IN THE, UH, ON THE ISLAND, CLOSE TO THE BEACH, UH, THAT IN PORT ROYAL OR LEAMINGTON AND NOT BE AROUND IT.
SO, UH, SO THAT'S ONE IDEA I WANT TO PRESENT.
IT FEELS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TOWARDS THIS ANYWAY.
SO, UH, SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT YOU GOT A TWO STRIKE POLICY, ONE HOUR RESPONSE TIME IN 30 DAY HEARING PROCESS.
SO IF, IF YOU'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF, UH, THE SUMMER, THAT COULD BE VERY COSTLY, A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS IN LOST INCOME, POTENTIALLY ON SOME OF THE BIGGER PROPERTIES.
AND I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A COMPLIANCE ELEMENT TO THIS, SOMETHING WHERE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND IF I DO THIS, UH, THEN, THEN I'VE COMPLIANT, COMPLIED WITH THIS ONE HOUR REQUIREMENT.
SO ANYWAY, THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO SHARE.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMPS? YES, MA'AM YES.
MY NAME IS BETH PETRO AND I DID GROW UP ON THE ISLAND.
UM, AND TO DREW'S POINT, MOST OF THE PEOPLE HERE ON THE ISLAND WORKING IN SHORT-TERM RENTAL INDUSTRY DO LIVE ON THE ISLAND.
AS EVERYBODY ELSE HAS SAID, THERE ARE CERTAIN AREAS OF THE ISLAND WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE TO, WHERE YOU CAN CHOOSE TO MOVE TO THAT.
DON'T ALLOW SHORT-TERM RENTALS.
EVERYBODY THAT CHOOSES TO MOVE TO HILTON HEAD HAS THE ABILITY TO LOOK AT CERTAIN AREAS.
AND WE DO HAVE THE BENEFIT OF HAVING AREAS THAT ARE DESIGNATED TO NOT ALLOW SHORT-TERM RENTALS.
UM, I THINK EVERYBODY IN OUR INDUSTRY IS AGREEANCE THAT WE WANT TO HAVE GOOD GUESTS.
WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL WHAT THEY'LL DO, BUT WE WANT TO PRESENT GOOD GUESTS TO THE ISLAND.
WE WANT TO BE GOOD NEIGHBORS, AND WE WANT TO DO ENOUGH TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT JUDGING OUR GUESTS AND GIVING THEM THAT POINT.
SEVERAL OF THE POINTS IN THIS ORDINANCE.
I THINK AS EVERYBODY HAS NOTED TOO, THEY STILL NEED SOME REFINEMENT.
SO TRYING TO PUSH SOMETHING FORWARD TODAY FOR THE VERY NEXT TOWN COUNCIL MEETING WITH SO MANY HOLES, I THINK IS PREMATURE.
I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO DO MORE TIME, EVEN AS THE ORDINANCE IS SET RIGHT NOW TO NOT GO INTO EFFECT TIL JANUARY OF 2023, THAT GIVES US MORE TIME TO EVEN, UM, TWEAK IT MORE AND KIND OF FINE TUNE SOME OF THESE POINTS THAT WE ALL AGREE.
NONE OF US WANT TO DEAL WITH THEY'RE HERE, BUT WE JUST NEED TO DO IT IN THE RIGHT WAY AND NOT FAST-TRACK IT WHEN WE'RE NOT EVEN GOING TO BE ABLE TO ENFORCE IT THIS RENTAL SEASON AS IT IS.
SO I'M ASKING YOU TO PLEASE JUST TAKE MORE TIME TO CONSIDER SOME OF THESE ELEMENTS AND HOW THEY CAN BE REDEFINED TO AFFECT US ALL PROPERLY.
IS THERE ANYBODY LEFT? YES, I WASN'T PLANNING ON SPEAKING TODAY EITHER, BUT, UM, I'M JEREMY KLEIN.
I OWN SIX RENTAL PROPERTIES AND MANAGE 40 FOR SEASIDE VILLAGE.
AND, UM, UH, TWO THINGS I WANTED TO TO ASK ABOUT IS ONE, UH, THE FEE BEING A FLAT FEE FOR A MILLION DOLLAR HOMES, AS OPPOSED TO A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLAR CONDO SEEMS A LITTLE BIT UNBALANCED TO ME.
UM, WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING THIS AT A BUSINESS LICENSE TIME ANYWAY.
SO IS THERE A WAY THAT WE COULD PUT THAT ON REVENUE BASIS? CAUSE YOU'RE SUBMITTING WHAT YOUR REVENUE IS FOR YOUR BUSINESS LICENSE.
YOU CAN DO IT AT THE SAME TIME AND, UM, MAKE IT MORE EQUITABLE TO PEOPLE WHO OWN CHEAPER PROPERTIES.
UM, AND, UH, MY SECOND THING IS THAT THERE'S LANGUAGE IN, AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO BRING IT UP, BUT IN, UH, WHAT'S A NUISANCE AS, UM, UH, IT, UH, SAYS OFFENSE, SOMETHING THAT OFFENDS AND, UH, UH, REAL SHORT EXAMPLE IS I GOT A NASTY PHONE CALL FROM A LADY ABOUT AN OFFENSIVE FLAG HANGING ON THE BEACH.
I WENT DOWN THERE EXPECTING A CONFEDERATE FLAG OR A NAZI FLAG, AND THEY WERE HANGING A TRUMP FLAG.
UM, WHAT'S OFFENSIVE TO ONE IS, MIGHT NOT BE OFFENSIVE TO ANOTHER.
UH, SO I JUST THOUGHT THAT LANGUAGE WAS A LITTLE VAGUE IN THERE AND MIGHT NEED SOME TWEAKING.
YES, MA'AM PLEASE STEP FORWARD.
UM, SAY GOOD MORNING, BUT IT'S NOT QUITE RIGHT.
UM, I'M BEVERLY SERAL AND I, UM, HAD BEEN A VACATIONER SINCE 1970, UM, MOVED TO THE ISLAND IN 2003 AND I ALSO I'M IN A SEA PINES RESIDENT AND OWN A REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE
[02:00:01]
AND VACATION RENTAL COMPANY, KIND OF A BOUTIQUE COMPANY.UM, WE TAKE CARE OF 40 PROPERTIES.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I'M NOT ANTI ORDINANCE.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, I THINK THAT PEOPLE REALLY CRAVE ORDER AND STRUCTURE, AND THAT MAKES EVERYBODY FEEL COMFORTABLE AS LONG AS THERE'S EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION.
AND EVERYBODY KNOWS AND UNDERSTANDS WHAT ALL THOSE GUIDELINES OR RULES ARE, HOW THEY'LL BE ENFORCED, WHAT THE PENALTIES ARE.
AND THAT KIND OF BRINGS ME TO MY CONCERN ABOUT THIS TODAY IS THAT I FEEL LIKE EVEN THOUGH THERE'S BEEN OBVIOUSLY A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK HAS GONE INTO THIS AND WHAT A GARGANTUAN TASK AND KUDOS TO EVERYONE WHO REALLY HAS WORKED SO HARD ON IT, BUT I'D LIKE TO SEE BEFORE IT GOES FARTHER THAN IT'D BE A LITTLE MORE BUTTONED UP.
UM, THINGS BE EXPLAINED, THE DIFFERENCES IN VIOLATIONS AND CITATIONS, PERMITS AND LICENSES, AND WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT AND HOW THINGS ARE GOING TO BE ADDRESSED AND ENFORCED AND PENALIZED.
UM, THAT WOULD BE MY, MY REQUEST.
UM, I ECHO EVERYBODY'S SENTIMENTS.
HERE ARE SOME REALLY GREAT COMMENTS AND I JUST WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE YOU ALL WITH THE FACT THAT, UM, THE VACATION RENTAL BUSINESS IS REALLY HARD.
IT'S A, IT'S A REALLY HARD BUSINESS.
IT'S LOTS OF OWNERS, IT'S GUESTS EVERY WEEK OR FOUR NIGHTS OR FIVE NIGHTS.
IT'S DEPENDING ON A SLEW OF PEOPLE TO PREPARE THE HOUSES FROM HOUSEKEEPING POOL TECHS, HVAC PLUMBERS.
WE NEED PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.
SOMETIMES I THINK THAT IT WORKS AS WELL AS IT DOES, YOU KNOW, THAT WE, THAT WE KEEP ALL OF THESE BALLS IN THE AIR AND KEEP PEOPLE COMING BACK AND THINGS AREN'T HONESTLY WORSE.
UM, I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO, AS WE GO FORWARD, WE'RE REALLY FORTUNATE HERE TO HAVE A LOT OF REALLY GOOD LOCAL PEOPLE WHO ARE RUNNING OUR BUSINESSES.
UM, SO MY PLEA TO THE COUNCIL WOULD BE THAT YOU W WE'RE HERE TO HELP YOU, IF YOU ALL WILL HELP US WITH AN ORDINANCE THAT MAKES SENSE AND IS, UH, OBJECTIVE AS POSSIBLE RATHER THAN SUBJECTIVE.
WE CAN ALL CONTINUE TO MAKE THIS PLACE EVEN BETTER FOR EVERYONE.
BEVERLY DOES ANYBODY ELSE WANT US SPEAK AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO GO AROUND A SECOND TIME.
UM, I, AS CHAIRMAN, I'M GOING TO MAKE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS BECAUSE THIS ISN'T MY FIRST RODEO.
UM, I USE THE TOWN'S TURTLE ORDINANCE AS AN EXAMPLE.
UM, THERE WERE SOME VERY STRIDENT RESIDENTS WHO WERE SAYING THIS DOESN'T HAVE TO BE RUSHED, BE MORE SPECIFIC.
UM, AND IT'S TOO SUBJECTIVE AND I'M NOT, NOT THROWING DARTS BACK AT PEOPLE WHO USE THOSE WORDS, BUT I'M JUST GIVING YOU A PERSPECTIVE THAT WE, WHO SIT ON COUNCIL HAVE TO JUGGLE A LOT OF DIFFERENT BALLS AT THE SAME TIME.
AND IT'S, IT'S REALLY INTERESTING, W WHAT'S A POWERFUL COMMENTARY OR THOSE OF YOU WHO STOOD UP AND SAID, I LIVE ON THIS ISLAND.
I OPERATE MANAGEMENT RENTAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY, AND I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM.
AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT THERE ARE OTHERS WHO DUMPED AND THEY'RE CREATING PROBLEMS FOR THIS COMMUNITY.
SO THE QUESTION BECOMES, OKAY, HOW DO YOU WRITE AN ORDINANCE THAT TRIES TO GET TO WHERE YOU WANT TO GO? ISN'T PENAL RAISES STANDARDS.
AND IT COMES DOWN TO COMMON SENSE DISCRETION AT THE TIME OF ENFORCEMENT.
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET PENALIZED WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS AND IT WAS OUT OF YOUR CONTROL.
IT'S, IT'S A QUESTION OF DISCRETION AND COMMON SENSE AT THE TIME OF ENFORCEMENT.
AND NOW I THINK YOU'LL LEAVE THIS ROOM SAYING I DON'T TRUST THAT, BUT THAT'S ESSENTIALLY WHERE WE, AS A COUNCIL AND UP, WE CAN'T WRITE THE WORDS
[02:05:01]
THAT SOLVE ALL THE PROBLEMS A HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE TIME.SO THERE WILL BE DISCRETION IN HOW THE TOWN GETS INVOLVED, BUT WE'RE TRYING TO MINIMIZE THAT IMPACT ON THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE THE 80% PROFESSIONAL OPERATORS AND DEAL WITH THE 20% WHO ARE CREATING SOME REAL PROBLEMS FOR THIS COMMUNITY.
AND I'M GOING TO MAKE A STATEMENT AND PERHAPS I'M, I'M INCORRECT, BUT MY S I'M SUSPICIOUS THAT THAT 20% IS MADE UP BY OWNERS WHO DO NOT LIVE ON THE SITE, DO NOT HAVE THE CORE VALUES OF THIS ISLAND IN THE FOREFRONT.
AND SO WE WILL DISCOVER THAT AS WE MOVE FORWARD, AS WE GET MORE INFORMATION, BUT I THINK WE ARE AT A POINT TODAY WHERE WE NEED TO TAKE A VOTE.
MR. THE POINT OF CLARIFICATION, IF YOU VOTE TO MOVE THIS FORWARD, IT WILL ACTUALLY BE ON THE AGENDA FOR THE MEETING OF THE 19TH, NOT THE FIFTH MEETING, NOT THE NEXT SUCCEEDING MEETING, BUT THE ONE FOLLOWING THAT.
CRYSTAL, WOULD YOU CALL THE ROLL PLEASE, SIR? I'M SORRY.
I WAS HOPING NOBODY WOULD OKAY.
AND WANTS TO SAY SOMETHING ALSO, BUT, UH, OKAY.
UM, UH, CUSTOMER STANFORD'S, UH, MOTION, UM, INCLUDED OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO MAKE CHANGES AT THE COUNCIL LEVEL.
BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I KNOW WE'VE, WE'VE GIVEN STAFF A LOT.
BUT THERE WERE A FEW COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE THAT TRIGGERED SOME MORE THOUGHTS WITH ME.
I DON'T, I JUST WANT TO PULL THESE OUT.
SO THIS STAFF, UM, THREE MINUTES.
NO, NO, I'M NOT TAKING ME THAT LONG.
I, I THINK, UM, THE, THE, THE COMMENTS ABOUT THE REQUIREMENTS, UM, FOR, UH, AFFIDAVIT VERSUS TRULY BEING RESPONSIBLE, I THINK THAT'S VALID.
THAT'S SOMETHING WE REALLY NEED TO UNDERSTAND, UH, WHEN WE GET TO, UH, THE ENTIRE COUNCIL.
AND I AGREE WITH YOU, COUNCILMAN AIMS THAT, UM, ABSENT, UH, THE MAYOR, COUNCILMAN HARKINS, OR COUNCILMAN LINUX, NOT BEING A PART OF DELIBERATION IS, IS WORTHY ENOUGH FOR ME TO MOVE FORWARD BECAUSE I WANT TO HEAR THEIR THOUGHTS AS WELL.
UM, THE, UH, THE LIABILITY CONCERN WITH PERMITTING, UH, FOR, UM, YOU KNOW, SAFETY, UM, AND NOT HAVING THE MEANS TO CHECK BEHIND, I THINK THAT IS, YOU KNOW, UH, I'M, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO DO THAT, BUT IT IS A CONCERN.
UM, AND THE TIMESHARE PIECE, I'M NOT QUITE CLEAR ON THAT EITHER.
UM, I THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE TEASED OUT A BIT SO THAT WE HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING.
UH, SO THOSE, THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT I WROTE THAT I THINK, UM, MAKE SURE STAFF HEARD AND WILL RESPOND WHEN WE GET TO, UH, FIRST READING.
THREE MINUTES, WE'LL SAY 10 MINUTES FOR COUNSEL, BUT THAT'S OKAY.
FIRST OF ALL, I WANTED TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR COMMENTS.
I KNOW THAT THE INTENTION BEHIND IT IS TO HELP PRODUCE A BETTER PRODUCT, NOT JUST HERE AS AN ORDINANCE, BUT IN TERMS OF WHAT HILTON HEAD OFFERS, BOTH OUR VISITORS AND OUR RESIDENTS.
UM, DAVID AND I, ABOUT YOUR COMMENT THAT YOU TOOK A RISK IN MAKING, I WOULD VENTURE TO SAY THAT THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY THAT MOST OF THE ISSUES COME FROM, UM, OWNERS WHO NEVER HAVE THAT FOOT ON THE GROUND, ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND, BUT, UM, OWN PERHAPS NOT JUST ONE BUT MANY PROPERTIES ON THE ISLAND AND DON'T REALLY HAVE THEIR HEART AND SOUL INVESTED HERE.
AND THAT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.
SO THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE IN THE ROOM, WHO ARE RESIDENTS, I'M SO GRATEFUL TO SEE YOU.
AND I DO APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT THESE ISSUES IMPACT YOU AS WELL.
UM, I THINK THAT SOMETIMES, PERHAPS THOUGH, THAT YOU MAY NOT HEAR ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT WE DO, UM, BECAUSE RESIDENTS ARE VERY KIND ON HILTON HEAD, OUR FRIEND FROM VRVO MENTIONED HOW THOUGHTFUL AND KIND AND WELCOMING WE ARE HERE WE ARE, THIS IS A UNIQUE PLACE.
I'M NOT SAYING THAT OTHERS AREN'T KIND AND CONSIDER IT, BUT HILTON HEAD IS A UNIQUE PARADISE THAT WE DO NOT WANT TO, UM, DISTURB.
AND MY CONCERN IS THAT BY HAVING THESE TYPES OF ISSUES THAT WE ALL HEAR ABOUT, WE ARE DISTURBING THE FUTURE OF OUR ISLAND.
WE ARE IMPACTED BY THAT THIRD DIMENSION WHERE OUR CAPACITY HASN'T BEEN DISCUSSED, THE OCCUPANCY,
[02:10:01]
WHICH I AGREE, FRANKLY, OUGHT TO BE THE FIRST CONDITION THAT WE PUT ON OUR AGENDA TO ATTAIN UNDERSTANDING OF.BECAUSE FROM THAT, I BELIEVE A LOT OF OUR PROBLEMS COME.
SO ANOTHER REASON IN MY MIND, UM, IT'S EITHER ANOTHER REASON IN MY MIND TO TAKE SOME TIME TO LOOK AND, AND, AND, UH, RESPECT THAT OCCUPANCY, THAT CAPACITY ISSUE THAT WE'RE, UM, CONFRONTED WITH.
HAVING SAID THAT I ALSO AM GOING TO SAY, UM, I, AS A TOWN COUNCIL MEMBER, UM, REPRESENT THE ISLAND RESIDENTS.
AND, UM, YES, THERE ARE LOTS OF PLACES YOU CAN MOVE TO ON THE ISLAND.
AND EVERY ONE OF THEM SHOULD BE PEACEFUL AND SHOULD ALLOW QUALITY OF LIFE.
THAT HILTON HEAD IS KNOWN FOR, AND FOR OUR INVESTMENTS IN OUR LIVES, OUR FAMILY'S LIVES AND THE FUTURE GENERATIONS TO COME AFTER US TO BE EQUALLY AS PEACEFUL.
AND WE OUGHT NOT BE REGULARLY GET READILY GATED TO SOME OTHER AREA IN FAVOR OF JUST THOSE WHO ARE COMING HERE TO PUT MONEY IN THEIR POCKET AND LEAVE US BEHIND.
SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THIS HAS NOT BEEN RUSHED.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING AT THIS FOR A LONG TIME.
THERE HAS BEEN INPUT FROM INTEREST GROUPS FROM PROPERTY OWNERS.
THIS IS OUR SECOND FULL MEETING, DISCUSSING JUSTICE ORDINANCE.
WE NEED TO MAKE A DECISION AND I'M READY TO SEE US MOVE FORWARD.
THANK YOU, CHRIS, TO CALL THE ROLE, PLEASE.
MR. STANFORD, ALL THE MOTION MR. AMES, OR THE MOTION PASSES.
UM, LET'S TAKE FIVE MINUTES AND THEN WE'LL TAKE A, WELL SET UP WITH THE SECOND HALF OF THIS.
CAN I BRING THE MEETING BACK TO ORDER, PLEASE? I HAVE A ONE I'LL BE BREATHING.
WE HAVE TWO RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOU TODAY.
AND THIS IS THE SECOND RECOMMENDATION THAT THE COMMITTEE SUPPORT THE PRELIMINARY FRAMEWORK FOR THE EXAMINATION OF HIGH OCCUPANCY SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND HIGH FLOOR AREA RATIO, RATIO, SINGLE FAMILY HOMES ON MARCH 9TH.
I PRESENTED TO YOU A LIST OF ISSUES FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION BY THE COMMITTEE.
AS I MENTIONED THE ORDINANCE AS PART OF THE INITIATIVE, THIS IS THE REST OF THE INITIATIVE.
UM, YOU CAN SEE HERE THE, THE, THE LIST OF CONCERNS THAT WERE EXPRESSED.
UM, I DO WANT TO NOTE THAT, UH, MANY HOTELS, I THINK ARE MORE ACCURATELY DESCRIBED AS HIGH OCCUPANCY SHORT-TERM RENTAL.
SO WE WILL USE THAT TERM MOVING FORWARD, UM, INSTEAD, OR INSTEAD OF CONSIDERING THESE ISSUES, AS I PRESENTED TO YOU ON MARCH 9TH, UH, WE PROPOSE TO REFINE THE NEXT PHASE OF THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL INITIATIVE INTO TWO AREAS OF FOCUS.
THE FIRST IS AN EXAMINATION OF THOSE HIGH OCCUPANCY SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND SINGLE FAMILY STRUCTURES, HIGH FLOOR AREA RATIOS.
AND THE SECOND IS AN EXAMINATION OF THE IMPACTS OF THE INCREASING NUMBER OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS IN THE ISLAND AND THE IMPLICATIONS OF THAT TREND FOR THE FUTURE, UH, ATTACHMENT F OUTLINES, THAT PLAN TO ADDRESS THE FIRST AREA OF FOCUS.
UH, AS A NOTE THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS, STAFF WILL CONSULT WITH AND REQUEST INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC STAKEHOLDERS SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS.
OTHER COMMUNITIES ARE ON CALL CODE WRITING CONSULTANTS AND THE TOWN ATTORNEY.
UM, THIS MATCHES THE LANGUAGE THAT'S IN, UH, ATTACHMENT F THAT WAS IN YOUR PACKET.
UH, THE FIRST STEP IS TO DEFINE THOSE TWO USES HAYAK BNZ SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND HIGH FLOOR AREA RATIO, SINGLE FAMILY STRUCTURES, UM, AND TO EXAMINE THEIR LOCATION AND TRENDS.
AND JUST TO BE CLEAR, THE HIGH FLOOR AREA RATIO, SINGLE FAMILY STRUCTURES ARE FIRST TO, UH, THE RATIO BETWEEN THE AMOUNT OF BUILT AREA OF A STRUCTURE AND THE SIZE OF THE LOT THAT IT'S ON.
SO A LOT OF STRUCTURE AND A LITTLE LOT, IF YOU WANT TO THINK OF IT THAT WAY.
SO WE WANT TO DEFINE, UH, THOSE TWO TERMS FOR US.
UM, WE'LL SURVEY THE OCCUPANCIES OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS IN THE ISLAND.
WE HAVE THE BENEFIT OF AIR DNA AND WE'LL HAVE THE SOFTWARE THAT WE'RE CONTRACTING WITH SOON TO BE ABLE TO EXAMINE THAT, UM, WE COULD SELECT ONE OR TWO RANGES FOR A VERY HIGH OCCUPANCY AND HIGH OCCUPANCY RENTALS.
FOR EXAMPLE, A VERY HIGH, IT COULD BE MORE THAN 30 OCCUPANTS, A HIGH COULD BE 15 TO 29.
UM, AND THEN WE WILL SURVEY THE FLOOR AREA RATIOS OF SINGLE FAMILY STRUCTURES AND SELECT AGAIN, ONE OR TWO RANGES OF WHAT WE THINK IS A HIGH FLOOR AREA RATIO
[02:15:01]
FOR EXAMINATION.UM, WE'LL EXAMINE THEIR LOCATIONS, WE'LL CREATE MAPS OF WHERE THOSE STRUCTURES ARE LOCATED, UM, AND INCLUDE, UH, RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES, NOT USE FOR SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND INCLUDING THAT THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS AND ZONING DISTRICTS, SO WE CAN GET A GOOD SENSE OF WHERE THEY ARE.
AND THEN WE'LL EXAMINE TRENDS.
UM, DETERMINE THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE NUMBER AND LOCATION, UM, HAVE CHANGED OVER TIME FOR EACH OF THOSE TWO TYPES OF STRUCTURES.
AND THEN WE'LL ANALYZE THE IMPACTS AND EFFECTS OF THOSE TEASES ON THE ISLAND.
UM, BOTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE.
UM, WE'LL COLLECT RELEVANT, AVAILABLE DATA ON THOSE IMPACTS AND EFFECTS AND DETERMINE IF THE MAGNITUDE OF THOSE EFFECTS WARRANTS, ADDITIONAL POLICY CONSIDERATIONS, SUCH AS ENACTING STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS.
IF ADDITIONAL POLICY CONSIDERATIONS ARE WARRANTED, UH, WE WOULD REVIEW THOSE POTENTIAL STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS STARTING BY LOOKING AT OTHER COMMUNITIES OR ORDINANCES.
WE'RE PRETTY FAMILIAR AT THIS POINT WITH WHAT OTHER COMMUNITIES ARE DOING.
HAVING DONE QUITE A BIT OF RESEARCH FOR THE FIRST PHASE.
WE'LL BRING THAT INFORMATION TO YOU.
UM, WE'LL DEVELOP AND PRESENT TO YOU A LIST OF POTENTIAL STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS AND INCLUDE THE COSTS AND BENEFITS FOR ALL PARTIES INVOLVED.
UM, AND EXPLAIN, UH, IF, FOR HOW THEY COULD BE IMPLEMENTED WHILE CONSIDERING PROPERTY RIGHTS, UM, AND THE EXISTING HIGH OCCUPANCY SHORT TERM RENTAL USES AND HIGH FLOOR AREA RATIO, SINGLE FAMILY STRUCTURES.
SO THAT IS THE SECOND RECOMMENDATION.
UH, COMMITTEE SUPPORT WILL ALLOW STAFF TO EXECUTE THE PRELIMINARY FRAMEWORK AND BE PREPARED TO DELIVER RESULTS IN THE COMING MONTHS.
AND THANK YOU, GLENN, YOUR THOUGHTS, YOU'RE GOING TO BE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
I THINK YOU'RE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
UH, ONCE WE GET BY THIS FIRST STEP, THAT IS THE ENACTMENT OF THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL ORDINANCE.
UM, AS IT MAY FINALLY COME OUT FROM THE TOWN COUNCIL AND I SUPPORT THE IDEA OF EVALUATING AND TRULY UNDERSTANDING THESE HIGH OCCUPANCY PROPERTIES AND HOW THEY'RE IMPACTING, UH, NOT ONLY THE NEIGHBORS AROUND THOSE, BUT ALSO THE BROADER ISLAND AND THE CHARACTER OF THE ISLAND.
SO I SUPPORT THESE COMPLETELY.
UM, I'M, I'M READY TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS.
UM, THIS TO SOME DEGREES DOES TO, UM, FOCUS A LITTLE BIT DEEPER ON, UM, THE, THE IMBALANCE, SO TO SPEAK.
PARTICULARLY SINCE WE'RE LOOKING AT THE ENTIRE ALLAN AND HOW SOME NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE HAVE TRANSFORMED.
UM, I GO BACK TO THE PIECE OF HOW WE'RE GOING TO NOT ONLY STOP THIS SO THAT THE IMBALANCE DOESN'T CONTINUE, BUT ALSO MOVE TOWARDS, UH, A BALANCE THAT WE ALL AGREE ON.
AND I'M NOT SURE THAT THAT'S, LET'S SAY SPELLED OUT HERE, BUT I THINK AS PART OF THIS PROCESS, THAT THAT NEEDS TO BE, UM, A PART OF THE CONVERSATION.
UM, SO I, I SUPPORT US, UH, DIVING IN AND HAVING THIS DISCUSSION AT THIS LEVEL.
SO, AS I SAID PREVIOUSLY, UM, THE SAY BELIEF PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE COME FIRST.
UM, AND BECAUSE IT DIDN'T, UM, THERE WERE A LOT OF THE ISSUES THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE TEASED OUT FROM THIS THAT WE COULD MORE APPROPRIATELY IS A BAD WORD, BUT THAT WE COULD ADDRESS IN A BETTER WAY.
UM, I, I SEE IN THIS A LOT OF, UM, TIME IN RESEARCH AND FROM SOMEONE WHO DOES NOTHING LOVES NOTHING MORE THAN TO RESEARCH, UM, WHO COULD GO INTO A LIBRARY AT 8:00 AM AND NOT COME OUT UNTIL 8:00 PM OR LATER, AND NOT EVEN REALIZE THAT THEY HAD DAY HAD GONE, BECAUSE IT'S THE MOST EXCITING THING TO GO FROM ONE TO ANOTHER AND TO GET TO THE ORIGINAL, UM, SOURCE AND TO ANALYZE THE DATA.
UM, A LOT OF THIS LEADS ME TO WONDER WHERE, UM, THIS WILL LEAD BECAUSE AS MUCH AS I HATE TO ADMIT IT, SOMETIMES MY LOVE FOR RESEARCH AND THE DETAILS ALSO STANDS IN THE WAY OF MAKING ANY REAL PROGRESS.
AND SO, AS I LOOK AT THIS, THAT'S SOME OF WHAT I SEE.
AND THEN I SEE JUDGMENT CALLS IN TERMS OF IF IT SHOULD BE, UM, NECESSARY OR, UM, WARRANT.
AND I'M WONDERING, WHO'S MAKING THOSE JUDGMENTS ALONG THE WAY, IS COUNCIL MAKING THAT IT'S COMMITTEE MAKING THAT HIS STAFF
[02:20:01]
MAKING THOSE DECISIONS.AND, UM, I'D LIKE TO HEAR A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT.
YES, MA'AM THE INTENTION IS THAT THE COMMITTEE AND TOWN COUNCIL WOULD DIRECT STAFF'S WORK.
SO YOU WOULD MAKE THAT DECISION IF ADDITIONAL POLICIES ARE, ARE WARRANTED.
SO AS THAT REPORT COMES FORWARD, FILLED WITH THAT RESEARCH AND INFORMATION, WE WILL SIT IN COMMITTEE AND DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT IT'S WORTH MOVING FORWARD ON.
WELL CERTAINLY I THINK IT'S NECESSARY.
UM, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO, UM, HEARING HOW YOU ENJOY YOUR RESEARCH.
AND I THINK YOUR TWO TARGETS ARE ON TARGET.
UH, I THINK THAT THE ISSUE OF HIGH OCCUPANCY SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND SINGLE FAMILY STRUCTURES WITH HIGH FLOOR AREAS, UH, REALLY AT THE CRUX OF ONE OF THE HIGHEST, UH, UM, I'M JUST GOING TO USE THE WORD INFLAMMATION POINTS, THE PLACES THAT WE HEAR THE MOST, UH, MOST COMPLAINTS.
UM, SO I THINK THAT GETTING A HOLD OF THE, THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.
AND THEN SECONDLY, UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACTS OF IT INCREASING NUMBER OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THERE MAY BE ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE.
UH, THERE MAY BE, UH, CONCLUSIONS THAT WE MAKE BASED ON INTUITION, BUT WE DON'T HAVE THE INFORMATION YET, NOR DO NOR HAVE WE REALLY TEASED OUT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE, UH, DATA, UM, THOSE, THOSE REAL IMPACTS.
SO I THINK YOU'RE ON TARGET FOR BOTH OF THESE AND I ALSO, UH, AND POSITIVE ABOUT THE WORK PROCESS THAT YOU'VE OUTLINED.
SO, UH, I'M READY TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS.
IF THERE IS A MOTION MR. CHAIRMAN, I WOULD MOVE THAT THE PUBLIC PLANNING COMMITTEE SUPPORT THE PRELIMINARY FRAMEWORK FOR THE EXAMINATION OF HIGH OCCUPANCY SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND HIGH FLOOR AREA RATIO, SINGLE FAMILY HOMES.
I DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A, UM, MOTION ON THE SECOND PORTION OF THAT AT THE SAME TIME THAT WASN'T BOTH EXAMINATION OF THE IMPACTS OF INCREASING NUMBER OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS ON THE ISLAND AND POPULATION TREND ELLA, EXCEPT THAT AMENDMENT.
IS THERE SECOND? THANK YOU, TAMMY.
ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC WHO IS STILL HERE AND CONGRATULATIONS.
UM, CHRIS, WOULD YOU CALL THE ROLL PLEASE? MR. BROWN.
THIS IS BECKER MR. STANFORD, MR. AMES MOTION CARRIES.
IS THERE A MOTION TO ADJOURN SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY RAISING YOUR RIGHT HAND.
AND THANKS AGAIN, PUBLIC FOR FIEND PATIENT AND STATE.