Letter to the Editor: Please attend meeting

Please attend meeting

On March 13, 2009 the planning board will continue the discussion on a short-term rental ordinance. Since July 2008, the planning board has been working on this ordnance that would allow rental periods for as little as one day in the single family zoning districts. This type of land use is not currently allowed. The proposed ordinance would allow short-term rentals as a conditional use. That is if an owner meets the conditions, such as registering their property with the city, they would be allowed to rent short term. However, if the property breaks “the rules” the conditional use can be revoked.

At the second reading of the proposed ordinance, a major change in direction was discussed by the board. Instead of using a conditional use, it was proposed to change the current single family zoning to allow short-term rental as a property right. This would mean that all single family homes could be rented on a daily basis as a land use right. It is very difficult to take away a property right from someone who breaks “the rule.”

I believe the conditional use approach is fair and not onerous to landlords of short-term rental property. This approach would allow current landlords to rent their properties legally, while still giving the city the ability to get rid of the “rotten apples.” Please attend the meeting Friday and voice your concerns for or against the two proposals up for discussion.

Kenneth E. Honecker

Marco Island