Mayor Linda Anthony said she was surprised by the even split of the short-term rental survey answers and by how few people responded. Mayor Linda Anthony said she was surprised by the even split of the short-term rental survey answers and by how few people responded.[/caption]

A survey posted to gauge citizens’ thoughts on whether to allow short-term rentals, or STRs, in West Lake Hills garnered 310 responses that were roughly divided among the three options.

The survey—developed by a subcommittee after City Council heard from residents complaining of noise that came from STRs—showed 109 people in favor of permitting STRs, 106 people opposed to allowing STRS and 89 people in favor of permitting STRs with specific regulations. Six people said they were undecided about STRs.

The survey results were posted on the city of West Lake Hills website May 5.

“I think if you look at the results of the survey, most of the answers are, ‘regulate,’” West Lake Hills Mayor Linda Anthony said.

She said she was surprised by the even division of the answers and by how few people responded.

According to City-data.com, West Lake Hills’ population in 2014 was 3,291, meaning about 10.6 percent of the population answered the survey.

Anthony said a message was posted on the city’s website announcing the survey. She said she also sent out a reverse 911 call to all West Lake Hills residents registered on April 19 after the survey was posted online.

“A lot of times, participation isn’t all that high on things that you would think would be high,” she said. “I think we gave residents ample opportunity to know that the survey was up and if they wanted to participate, it was there for them to do.”

A discussion of the results will be held May 11 at 7 p.m. at the West Lake Hills City Council meeting. City Council originally intended to have a town hall meeting following the survey responses, but Anthony said given the results, she did not think it was necessary anymore.

Anthony said City Council’s discussion May 11 will likely cover how to regulate STRs. She said the subcommittee members have already looked at regulations, which she anticipates they will “fine-tune” after comparing other cities’ regulations.

“Coming up with regulations that are enforceable and even-handed is a challenge, but we do have other cities that have dealt with this issue as models to look at,” Anthony said. “I’m going to be interested to see how the discussion continues.”