AirBnB owners oppose restraints

HURON — AirBnB owners in Huron assembled outside City Hall Tuesday to oppose legislation that would regulate local transient rentals. Huron Mayor Sam Artino told them the city has heard their complaints and noted the proposed legislation is the first draft. Transient rentals, homes rented out to visitors for short periods on sites like AirBnB and VRBO, in Huron have exploded in popularity due to the lake and the local tourism economy. The city recently started a registration service for AirBnBs and implemented a 3% bed tax on visitors who stay at these locations. Following emails and phone calls from residents raising issues with AirBnBs in their neighborhoods, the council started to explore additional legislation to regulate these properties. Artino said the council is looking at the number of AirBnBs in neighborhoods, crowded parking, having a contact within 30 minutes of the home for emergencies and a limit on the number of guests at one time for safety. "There's one gentleman who is advertising a house for 28 people," Artino said. "Our firefighters are concerned about if there's a fire, how are we going to get them all out?" AirBnB owners believe the current draft could destroy their primary source of income and discourage future growth. "If I want to expand, I should be able to do that. People should be able to take the money they make from one property to invest in another," said Jennifer Jackway, who owns and operates four AirBnBs. Operators raised several concerns in the first draft, including a policy requiring people to live in a home for a year before renting, limiting the number of AirBnBs allowed in the city and limits on the number of guests. "Though something needs to be done to regulate short-term rentals that cause disturbances because of mismanagement, the draft proposal is largely inappropriate for rental property owners in the city of Huron," Jackway said. But Artino said that's only the first draft of the legislation based on other municipalities' policies, and the city only made it available for complete transparency. "It's very early in the process, but at the same time, we don't want to hide anything," Artino said. He added the council would scrutinize the first draft to make it their own and fit the community's needs. When the council discussed the first draft Tuesday during a work session, a dozen AirBnB owners gathered outside City Hall to show their displeasure with the current legislation. "Even though it is still in draft form, other transient rental owners and I thought it was a good idea to show up to the meeting tonight and let the council members and the mayor know that we're concerned," Jackway said. They pointed to the positive effect AirBnBs have on the community, including the renovation of once rundown properties and the increased patronage to local businesses. Artino and law director Todd Schrader came out to assure them the legislation was a working document subject to change, and there would be a public hearing before any vote. "I promise you, we won't make these decisions in the dark," Artino said. They also dispelled rumors that there was any anti-AirBnB sentiment coming from the city council. "There's no one on the council who doesn't understand the value that AirBnBs can bring to our community and economy," Artino said. By the end of Tuesday's work session, the council members already said they wouldn't support any version of legislation that would require people to live in a property for a year before renting it. Artino reiterated his appreciation for residents' passion for their city and said the council would continue to work on legislation that protects neighborhoods' charms without stifling AirBnB businesses.