JACKSONVILLE — Provisions to allow short-term
vacation rentals will be considered for inclusion in planning-code
revisions that will be unveiled next month in a town that some say lacks
accommodations.
"A lot of people may want to
have vacation rentals. We'll address that in the revised code," said
city Planning Director Amy Stevenson.
Ashland's City Council is wrestling with how to
handle such rentals as various factions weigh in on the debate. Those
rentals, often found on the Internet, may not be approved or pay lodging
tax.
"It's not a hot issue here," said Stevenson. "We have had some residents express a desire to do that."
An
initial hearing on the proposed revisions, which will look at all
aspects of planning including regulations in the historic district,
tentatively will be held in late August.
The
revisions will be subject to public review and consideration by the
Historic and Architectural Review Commission and the Planning
Commission. The City Council would need to approve any changes.
Legally
approved accommodations collect and pay a lodging tax. Stevenson said
city officials strive for equity, something that's missing with
nonapproved units that are not subject to paying the lodging tax when
they are rented.
"We are aware that it is
happening," said Stevenson. "We survey Craigslist and VRBO (Vacation
Rentals By Owner) every once in a while. If we see someone and they
don't have approval they usually hear from us. Usually they have to shut
down because they can't comply."
Home owners
and others can rent rooms and accessory dwellings for a minimum of 30
days. Bed and breakfast lodgings must be located within the town's
historic district and be owner-occupied. Commercial lodging can operate
in approved zones.
Jacksonville collects
lodging taxes on 80 approved units, said city Treasurer Stacey
McNichols. Of those, the Wine County Inn with 32-rooms adjacent to 5th
Street entering town is the largest.
A review of three websites Wednesday showed about 20 listings, some being duplicates.
AirBnB
had eight listings; three for approved in-town historic cottage
rentals, four listed as near town and one on a 90-acre ranch. VRBO had
nine listings with some of those approved. The status of the rest could
not be determined. Craigslist showed eight short-term rentals.
Opinions varied on the need for more accommodations.
"I
think it's a great idea," said Arlis Duncan, chamber of commerce
president. "We don't have enough lodging in town. We can't have a
conference here with 200 people in town. We'd like to have people come
and visit."
Duncan rents out her approved vacation cottage, which she said is occupied most of the year.
"Most
of the people that I personally know (renting accommodations) and those
coming through the chamber are doing it on the legal basis," said
Duncan.
Graham Farran of Expert Properties
Inc. manages more than 20 furnished accommodations that he rents for a
month or longer. He says he gets a lot of calls for shorter term stays
that he cannot fulfill. But he's concerned about allowing such rentals
in single family residential areas.
"I don't want to live next to a vacation rental," said Farran. "I don't think that would ever pass in Jacksonville."
During
Britt Music Festival events, the city could use more accommodations,
but at other times additional rooms might lack customers, said Farran.
Maryl Cipperly at the Chamber of Commerce's Visitors Center expressed similar concerns.
"We've
got some great accommodations but they fill up so fast, especially when
it's a Britt week," said Cipperly. "Last week I don't think you could
buy a room here. In the winter, things slow down,"
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