In two sessions last week, commissioners heard from county residents and those in the short-term rental business about a proposed ordinance governing the industry in Gilmer County.
Chair Charlie Paris and Post Commissioner John Marshall attended the Feb. 28 hearings in person, while Post Commissioner Hubert Parker was looped in by phone.
Speaking in favor of the ordinance, Christine Ballew said she has contacted a local short-term rental owner and been called a liar in the past. She noted problems with renters shooting firearms despite not knowing the area and trespassing.
“The owners need to be accountable,” she said. “I think this is great.”
Many residents echoed similar issues with short-term rentals in the area — loud parties, trespassing, discharging firearms in a reckless manner and parking cars on the roads.
In many cases, they asked the commissioners to make sure there were limits on guests, such as two per bedroom plus two more. Others asked for inspections of the property to ensure safety and that septic systems were overloaded.
Short-term rental owners pointed to a first-time 30-day suspension for violations. They said the costs for canceling reservations on websites might be fatal to the rental. They asked for a warning or fine to begin the process before escalating to a suspension.
“I’m scared of this one,” said short-term rental owner Doug Rink. “I’m scared it’s bait to lure complaints against short-term rental owners.”
He said complaints should be sworn to in affidavits.
“We need that kind of protection,” he said. “Because, there are those who want to drive short-term rentals out of their neighborhoods.”
Several representatives of cabin rental companies spoke and suggested the 30-day suspension was harsh. They said the cabin rental companies were already complying with many of the requirements of the ordinance.
President of the Walnut Mountain homeowners association, Ron Hollifield, said they have 415 homes and approximately a third are short-term rentals. He said they try to be good neighbors, but there have been issues.
“I thank you for what you are trying to do,” he said. “It is a tough job.”
Vito Molfetto of the Coosawattee River Resort board said there are more than 480 short-term rentals in the development.
Gilmer County Director of Planning and Zoning Jim Smith said he believed there was a misunderstanding about the 30-day suspension. He said his reading was the owners would be given a warning and 30 days to correct the issues before a suspension.
“The first thing would be a warning, not a suspension,” he said.
Changes could always be made to the ordinance, he pointed out.
“It is a living document,” Smith said. “We are on version seven.”
Paris thanked the participants. He said the board of commissioners would be looking at tweaking the ordinance before possibly bringing it up for passing at the April meeting.
A meeting with the ordinance on the agenda was called for Tuesday, March 5, at 2 p.m. after press deadline for the Times-Courier.