Chapel Hill Town Council passed a resolution earlier this month that will kick off a task force and public engagement process addressing Short-Term Rentals (STRs), the renting of rooms, individual units or whole houses for less than 30 days, as seen on websites like Airbnb.

A key development made in the resolution will focus town efforts on a specific category of STRs. The task force will be first addressing dwelling units rented by an investment companies or owners who does not use that lodging as their primary place of living.

During the council’s deliberations leading up to the resolution, officials voiced a desire to narrow the scope of the task force as a matter of time efficiency.  But Town Council member Karen Stegman also made an effort to calm the fears of residents who host Airbnb users in their primary dwellings as a way to make ends meet.

“I am very supportive of relieving the anxiety of people in our community. We talk about how much we value our artists and our musicians, and we have heard that this is an income source,” Stegman said. “It’s causing a lot of anxiety in the community for people who this is a source of income. So if we could take that off, I would be very supportive of that.”

The council heard from residents with those kinds of concerns, including David Hartman. Hartman said when he originally bought his home in 2003, it was considered a 20-year flood plain. Now, as a result of numerous floods due to increasingly erratic weather in our area, Hartman’s property is now designated a repetitive loss property by FEMA, meaning his flood insurance is nearly $6,000 per year. This, he told council, makes his home unaffordable to him and difficult to sell.

“If I am no longer allowed to be an Airbnb host, my only hope is that I am chosen by FEMA for a buy-out and a tear down of the only home I have ever owned, the home in which I expected to live for life,” Hartman said.

After discussions over an appropriate scope and timeline, council passed a resolution 8-1 for a task force that would develop recommendations for council for regulations on short-term rentals in non-owner-occupied rentals for consideration in March 2020.

The dissenting vote on the resolution was Nancy Oates. In a post on her blog days after the vote, Oates voiced her concern that the town council was exempting accessory dwelling units from being regulated as short-term rentals, which she said would cut down on longer-term affordable housing options.

According to the resolution, the Town Manager with collecting applications for the Task Force which the council will consider in early October.

The town is hosting an open house Monday evening to discuss the next steps in developing these guidelines. The open house is scheduled to run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Seymour Senior Center on Homestead Road.

Related Stories
‹
Chapel Hill Beginning Conversation on Regulating Short-Term Rentals
Short-term rentals have been growing in popularity across the country, and Chapel Hill and Orange County are no exception. Vacation rental websites likes Airbnb allow for visitors to stay in a local home instead of a hotel during a visit. But it is also posing a challenge for local governments of how much to regulate […]
On Air Today: Carl Nordgren of Exploring Your Creative Genius
Carl Nordgren, host of Exploring Your Creative Genius on 97.9 The Hill, spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, February 19, discussing town news and events. He discussed the process of getting to that many episodes, lesson he's learned in producing the show, and several highlights that have happened during the first 150 episodes. He talked about guests he's had in, a "dream show" to aim for in the future, and more.
The Evening News: Police Substation Downtown, No Weaver Street Closure, Snooze Reopens
The Hill's Andrew Stuckey presents the afternoon news. Included in this edition of the news, we learn details on a new police substation opening on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. We also learned of the Carrboro Town Council delaying a pilot program that would have closed East Weaver Street to automobiles on weekends this summer. We learn of a reopen date and a partnership with a local nonprofit for the brunch restaurant Snooze. In sports, UNC Women's Basketball has a big road matchup at Virginia Tech, and more.
Chapel Hill: Legion Road Timeline, Multi-Modal Upgrades, Rosemary Street Closure
Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, February 19, discussing town news and events. She touched on the proposed timeline for the affordable housing project at the legion road property. She also talked about some upcoming progress toward extending some multi-modal paths. She discussed the Rosemary Street closure and the impacts on local businesses, talked about early voting, and more.
On Air Today: Road to the Rivalry Winners Dave and Harry Sims
Dave and Harry Sims, the winners of the 97.9 The Hill Road to the Rivalry ticket giveaway joined 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey in studio on Tuesday, February 17. They discussed their experience at the UNC vs. Duke game early in February, including the dramatic winning shot, the double court-storm, and more.
The Evening News: Flock Cameras in Pittsboro, Early Voting, High Speed Chase
The Hill's Andrew Stuckey presents the afternoon news. Included in this edition of the news, we hear from Pittsboro where several residents recently spoke out against the use of Flock surveillance cameras. We also check on early voting totals, update some weekend crime stories, and more. In sports, UNC gets a win in men's basketball in spite of two stars not playing. The women's team takes a tough loss at Duke, and more.
On Air Today: Real Estate Broker Desiree Goldman of BOLD Real Estate
Real Estate Broker Desiree Goldman of BOLD Real Estate spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Monday, February 16. She discussed the recent development of several builders bringing condominium and townhome properties for sale in the Chapel Hill - Carrboro Market. She discussed the conditions that led this type of property being unavailable for so long, why it is becoming available now, and more.
'Together is The Only Path Forward': Orange County's Habitat for Humanity Hosts Affordable Housing Summit
Amid a shortage of affordable housing – both locally and nationally – the Orange County chapter of Habitat for Humanity recently held a summit to discuss how leaders can collectively aim to better address the issue.
Chapel Hill: LUMO Update, Federal Funding for Projects, Financial Report
Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, February 12, discussing town news and events. She recapped the recent town council meeting, which included a presentation on the town's financial report, and an update in the Land Use Management Ordinance rewrite. She outlined some recent federal funding secured for some major projects for the town, and more.
Confirmed Measles Case Reported at Chapel Hill Goodwill Store
The Orange County Health Department has reported that a person infected with measles recently visited a public place while contagious. According to the department, anyone who visited the Goodwill store at 1115 Weaver Dairy Road in Chapel Hill between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6 may have been exposed. Anyone who thinks […]
›