Before we jump into today’s update, a friendly reminder that we need your help to grow our alliance and reach more hosts. Please take a moment to join, invite others to sign up, and become a part of our private Facebook group.
A Recap From the Planning Department Update on 8/22 and Recent Meetings
Planning Department staff have been making an introductory presentation to advisory boards and requesting that the boards select a representative to serve on a task force. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. No determinations on the STR ordinance is being made at the meetings.
Community Design Commission (CDC) on August 27th:
General takeaway: There was some confusion from at least one member regarding the difference between STRs and student residences. Other members had common questions regarding occupancy tax and enforcement (see below.) The floor was not opened for public comment, and this board did not nominate a task force member during the meeting.
Hotel Presentation: At this meeting, there was also a courtesy review presentation from a development group slated to build a hotel on the corner of Rosemary and Columbia, the project covered in a recent N&O article here and discussed in the CHSTRA private Facebook group. The presentation and courtesy review discussion did not touch on STRs, but some critical points to note:
- The presentation illuminated that the current plan for the hotel is for it to be an extended stay hotel, one of the closest hotel types to being a direct competitor to STRs.
- The Chamber and others have claimed hotels are hesitant to invest in Chapel Hill because of the “explosion” of STRs here (while simultaneously saying hotels don’t have enough data on them)
- The commission was generally complimentary and supportive of the hotel project.
Transportation and Connectivity Advisory Board (T-CAB) on August 27th
General takeaway: This committee’s focus regarding STRs would be on parking, but the group acknowledged any potential issues with parking are not directly correlated to STRs but rather general issues across all property uses (owner occupant, long-term tenants, students, etc.) This board allowed some informal public discussion – CHSTRA members Dave Hartman and Mary Stowe shared their experiences, and I (Alexa Nota) let the board know about the CHSTRA and that we are here as a resource to them. The board did not nominate a task force member during the meeting.
Planning Commission on September 3rd
General takeaway: This committee had the most thorough discussion and a clear understanding of STRs, including their benefits to Chapel Hill. The commission opened the floor to public comment, so both Mary and I spoke. STRs were the only item on the agenda and we were the only members of the public in attendance, which provided a good opportunity for the commission to ask us questions and have a more thorough conversation than we might have been able to otherwise. The board nominated Stephen Whitlow to the task force.
A few questions came up at all three of these meetings:
- Occupancy Taxes: How are they collected and remitted, how much should the town be collecting, where did the $5 million in STR revenue figure come from
- Enforcement: What is the town’s capacity to enforce any STR ordinances, how is the town enforcing current nuisance ordinances now, what areas would an ordinance cover (city limits vs. ETJ vs. other areas)
A recurring point of confusion:
- Distinguishing STRs from student residences and the nuisance issues associated with them (and other disruptive properties occupied by the owners or other long-term tenants)
What’s Next
ACTION ITEMS COMING UP SEPTEMBER 10-11
Board/Commission Meetings:
HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD (HAB): SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 at 6:30PM – TOWN HALL, ROOM 102
STRs are the first item on the agenda. (If you plan on going to both meetings, start here.)
HISTORIC DESIGN COMMISSION (HDC): SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 at 6:30PM – TOWN HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBER
STRs are the third item on the agenda.
Members are encouraged to attend both of these. It is up to each board to decide whether to open the floor for public comment, so please be prepared to speak if you would like to do so.
Next Town Council Meeting:
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING: SEPTEMBER 11, 2019 at 7PM – TOWN HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBER
View the agenda here. The planning department will request approval from the town council to form a citizen task force. Should the council approve this, the planning department will open applications for task force spots starting September 12.
Members are encouraged to attend. If you can only make one meeting next week, this is where we need you most. It is not clear yet whether the council will open the floor for public comment, but please be prepared to speak (if you would like to do so) and voice your support of a citizen task force that includes representatives of short-term rental hosts and related businesses. If you wish to email your testimony, you can do so here.
COMING UP NEXT
September 12th: Applications will open for citizen task force members (if the council approves this in the Sept. 11 meeting)
September 23rd: Staff will be holding an open house on this topic on September 23rd, 5:30-7:30 pm in the Ashe and Burke rooms of the Seymore Senior Center at 2551 Homestead Road. View the flyer >
October 2nd: Should Council agree to the task force, appointments would be made on October 2nd.
October: The task force will begin holding a series of meetings
Information will continue to be shared online on the Town’s STR webpage.