It Happened at The Meeting- June Edition
The Short-Term Rental Debate
The Planning Commission for the City of Westport held a public hearing on June 16th to hear comments on proposed changes to Short Term Rentals in Westport.
For the current Vacation Rentals code, please see the linked city codes.
The Draft Ordinance for proposed changes is linked here.
Some of the proposed changes to that code include a hard ban on new vacation rental permits in R-1 and R-2 Zones. This change serves to “protect residential housing stock and neighborhood compatibility.” Existing permitted rentals in those zones would be allowed to continue. But it terminates automatically upon sale/transfer of the property, permit lapse, 180+ days of non-operation, or violations.
One of the most contested changes at the hearing was the limit of one permit per ownership entity. The idea is to prevent shell companies or layered entities from holding multiple permits, or, as one commenter worried, a company from coming in, buying up a bunch of low-cost houses, making them all vacation rentals, and taking away the market for first-time homeowners. There was significant pushback against this change from property owners who use their homes as STRs.
Public comments ranged from support of STRs to disdain for them. In support are property owners who profit from their homes, while also employing local house cleaners, contractors, and other service-oriented businesses. Against are full-time residents who feel surrounded by nightly rentals and want to have neighbors, not temporary guests. A common thread was the need for enforcement and someone to respond when there are complaints or violations at an STR.
Regarding enforcement, Darin Vander Veur was hired as a new part-time code enforcement officer to assist with short-term rental (STR) issues and parking enforcement.
Ultimately, the Planning Commission decided to table the Draft Ordinance for further discussion.
The STR hearing was raised at the June 18th City Council Meeting, and the council agreed to form an STR Committee to work together on any ordinance changes. Council member Troy Meyer emphasized that commission members should be neutral, and Louis Summers suggested workshops to improve communication between the Council and the Planning Commission.
Another takeaway was that many residents do not know what zone they live in. A zoning map is included below.
For a closer look at this zoning map, please click the link here
Westport Skatepark breaks ground in July
The Westport Skatepark came in over budget, and while City Council and the LTAC committee all agreed this is a really positive project for the community, they could not approve the higher price tag. Grindline, the company that will build the skatepark, has worked closely with city officials to redesign the park within the allotted budget and space, and a no-cost change order was approved to include most of the original design elements. Construction for the skatepark begins next week!
Upcoming Events
On Friday, July 3rd, to kick off the 250th celebration, the 128th lighting of the Lighthouse. Starts at dusk.
Saturday- City of Westports presents a 4th of July Fireworks Show. View from parking lots 1,2, and 3 or anywhere in the marina. This years show will be much bigger than years past. (Note: there will also be a fireworks show on the Shoalwater reservation as well as the Tokeland 4th of July parade and party)
4th of July Fireworks Show
Friday July 10th, the Westport Police and South Beach Regional Fire will be at Whale of a Cone from 3-6pm. Come say hello.
August 4th is National Night Out- celebrate in Harriet Dorland City Park from 5-8pm.
Building Updates
Council approved a lease appraisal for the old CIty Hall building.
RFP’s for finishing off the upstairs of the new City Hall building came in over budget, and will have to be issued again.
After City Hall is upgraded, the Westport Police Department will move to the building. Mayor Welter said moving a police department is a big undertaking involving “ moving archives, massive tech set-up for security, computers, surveillance, and building an armory.”
The wastewater treatment plant is back to square one regarding building upgrades. A tarp they had purchased from a company in Canada never arrived, and the company has not responded to any of the many inquiries.