Council unpacks short-term rental topic again
Two residents want ban removed; Langshaw to introduce legislation
North Royalton City Council is discussing short-term rentals, such as Airbnbs, again. One councilman wants his colleagues to consider legislation he will introduce Feb. 5 that closely mirrors North Olmsted’s ordinance on the issue. File photo
NORTH ROYALTON – Council is once again unpacking the topic of short-term rentals, or Airbnbs.
On the heels of a recently enacted moratorium, the issue was discussed once more when Ward 3 Councilman Dan Langshaw asked council to consider North Olmsted’s ordinances in hopes of better regulating such rentals here and avoiding a lengthy ban.
The growing trend of websites like Airbnb, allows people to easily rent out bedrooms or their entire property on a short-term basis.
The question before council is does its own rental rules need strengthened? The debate has stemmed from an incident in Seven Hills last year where a homeowner rented out a room to a guest who threw a New Year’s party that spiraled out of control with reports of hundreds of intoxicated people and property damage.
So in November, council, at the request of the administration, opted to enact a moratorium in a 4-3 vote to review the issue. Langshaw, Ward 1 Councilman John Nickell and Ward 2 Councilman Gary Petrusky voted against the ban then.
So as it stands, residents who apply for a short-term rental permit are rejected until the moratorium is lifted. Those who ignore it could face a $1,000 fine, however, officials have stressed the ban’s intent is not to punish but to allow council time to weigh the issue before coming to a conclusion.
The topic was broached again last month.
Two residents who operate Airbnbs asked that the ban be lifted, however, the city administration and many on council said they would rather take ample time to review and let reported litigation in major cities, like Boston, play out.
Langshaw said he doesn’t want homes becoming hotels but at the same time, he wants to protect homeowners’ rights to such rentals and doesn’t want the ban to draw out.
He said he plans to introduce formal legislation, similar to North Olmsted’s, for council to review Feb. 5.
“I believe the administration can support my legislation. I also think some of the unnecessary fear and confusion about national litigation can be addressed at the next committee meeting. What we are doing is very basic regulation and will address this issue as intended,” he said, of his proposal later this month. “I will be open to any amendments my colleagues would like.”
One resident who spoke before council last month has two properties in Royalton – a home on Bennett Road and a condo near McDonald’s – he rents out on Airbnb. Another couple on West 130th Street rents out a room of their home.
The first said fears stemming from Seven Hills are unfounded, explaining that renters are properly vetted and owners can pick and choose guests.
“Most owners wouldn’t let that happen,” he said, referring to Seven Hills.
The other residents, who have stayed at Airbnbs themselves, said too the Seven Hills scenario is rare and that the system is designed to avoid that by requiring identification and a credit card, providing the ability to share past reviews of both hosts and guests and offering a certain amount of insurance.
Taking away their ability to do these rentals, they said, is a violation of their homeowner rights.
Council President Larry Antoskiewicz said council’s job is to look at the overall picture.
“You worry about individual rights, but you also have to balance that with what’s good for the majority of residents,” he said, after the meeting. “Hopefully we’ll have something in place sooner than later, we know we have to come up with a solution for this issue.”
Based on discussion, it seemed most on council, even those who voted against the ban, prefer not to rush the issue.
“I do not think this is an emergency issue, there are about three Airbnbs in North Royalton that we know of. A small majority of council passed the moratorium, let’s let that play out. We do not need to invite a lawsuit about this,” Nickell said, after the meeting.
“I am open to legislation addressing Airbnbs, however, I am not ready to push through legislation without careful thought and balancing all interests at stake. I will defer to the informed advice of our law department,” Ward 5 Councilwoman Cheryl Hannan added.
“Until I see legislation from the law department and until I hear that the people who enforce our building codes are ready to proceed on this issue, I see no reason to lift the moratorium,” Ward 6 Councilman Dan Kasaris said.
Ward 4 Councilman Paul Marnecheck called the moratorium a “time out” to properly analyze the issue.
“ ... so that we are not legislating with bits and pieces, and we can have one comprehensive measure,” he said.
The topic will likely be discussed again Feb. 5.
On the heels of a recently enacted moratorium, the issue was discussed once more when Ward 3 Councilman Dan Langshaw asked council to consider North Olmsted’s ordinances in hopes of better regulating such rentals here and avoiding a lengthy ban.
The growing trend of websites like Airbnb, allows people to easily rent out bedrooms or their entire property on a short-term basis.
The question before council is does its own rental rules need strengthened? The debate has stemmed from an incident in Seven Hills last year where a homeowner rented out a room to a guest who threw a New Year’s party that spiraled out of control with reports of hundreds of intoxicated people and property damage.
So in November, council, at the request of the administration, opted to enact a moratorium in a 4-3 vote to review the issue. Langshaw, Ward 1 Councilman John Nickell and Ward 2 Councilman Gary Petrusky voted against the ban then.
So as it stands, residents who apply for a short-term rental permit are rejected until the moratorium is lifted. Those who ignore it could face a $1,000 fine, however, officials have stressed the ban’s intent is not to punish but to allow council time to weigh the issue before coming to a conclusion.
The topic was broached again last month.
Two residents who operate Airbnbs asked that the ban be lifted, however, the city administration and many on council said they would rather take ample time to review and let reported litigation in major cities, like Boston, play out.
Langshaw said he doesn’t want homes becoming hotels but at the same time, he wants to protect homeowners’ rights to such rentals and doesn’t want the ban to draw out.
He said he plans to introduce formal legislation, similar to North Olmsted’s, for council to review Feb. 5.
“I believe the administration can support my legislation. I also think some of the unnecessary fear and confusion about national litigation can be addressed at the next committee meeting. What we are doing is very basic regulation and will address this issue as intended,” he said, of his proposal later this month. “I will be open to any amendments my colleagues would like.”
One resident who spoke before council last month has two properties in Royalton – a home on Bennett Road and a condo near McDonald’s – he rents out on Airbnb. Another couple on West 130th Street rents out a room of their home.
The first said fears stemming from Seven Hills are unfounded, explaining that renters are properly vetted and owners can pick and choose guests.
“Most owners wouldn’t let that happen,” he said, referring to Seven Hills.
The other residents, who have stayed at Airbnbs themselves, said too the Seven Hills scenario is rare and that the system is designed to avoid that by requiring identification and a credit card, providing the ability to share past reviews of both hosts and guests and offering a certain amount of insurance.
Taking away their ability to do these rentals, they said, is a violation of their homeowner rights.
Council President Larry Antoskiewicz said council’s job is to look at the overall picture.
“You worry about individual rights, but you also have to balance that with what’s good for the majority of residents,” he said, after the meeting. “Hopefully we’ll have something in place sooner than later, we know we have to come up with a solution for this issue.”
Based on discussion, it seemed most on council, even those who voted against the ban, prefer not to rush the issue.
“I do not think this is an emergency issue, there are about three Airbnbs in North Royalton that we know of. A small majority of council passed the moratorium, let’s let that play out. We do not need to invite a lawsuit about this,” Nickell said, after the meeting.
“I am open to legislation addressing Airbnbs, however, I am not ready to push through legislation without careful thought and balancing all interests at stake. I will defer to the informed advice of our law department,” Ward 5 Councilwoman Cheryl Hannan added.
“Until I see legislation from the law department and until I hear that the people who enforce our building codes are ready to proceed on this issue, I see no reason to lift the moratorium,” Ward 6 Councilman Dan Kasaris said.
Ward 4 Councilman Paul Marnecheck called the moratorium a “time out” to properly analyze the issue.
“ ... so that we are not legislating with bits and pieces, and we can have one comprehensive measure,” he said.
The topic will likely be discussed again Feb. 5.