Three major findings denoting a mainly negative opinion, acceptable short-term rentals in certain circumstances and a desire for more strict regulation were presented before the commission during its Oct. 2 meeting. A study of short-term rentals was approved after council approved a one-year interim short-term rental ban in May.
“The task force is not tasked with drafting ordinances, legislation [or] zoning maps but helping direct and guide staff in a general way, and come to some general consensus about direction for the community that will be turned into more detailed recommendations that you and the City Council can review,” Gap Strategies Principal Jeff Barton said.
The overview
Barton said the three main findings will be used going forward as the commission attempts to recommend potential solutions next year. Phil Dyer, Short-Term Rental Task Force chair, presented the main findings:
- Short-term rentals affect quality of life in Plano in a mostly negative way.
- There could be an appropriate place for short-term rentals in Plano under certain circumstances.
- The city should develop comprehensive, permanent regulations to govern short-term rentals in Plano.
Along with the findings, the consultants developed critical issues tied into the three main points.
For the first and third findings, Barton said a lack of management, effect on neighborhood character and a lack of an enforcement program were among the eight critical issues. For the second finding, issues of a reliance on short-term rental income, additional hotel and motel tax revenue, and blanket ban concerns were identified, according to information included in city documents.
Quote of note
“It seems to us, as your facilitators, that it’s been a very positive experience,” Barton said. “I know there are some people that still have a lot of concerns about what that end product will be and some of the finer points, but we have reached some consensus on key findings.”
What’s next?
A findings report will be presented to council at an upcoming meeting. The task force will also begin meeting again this fall to discuss solutions with an estimated second phase report next spring.
More information on the short-term rental study is available on the study’s website.
