Short Term Rentals (STR) and a new village attorney were the main topics of discussion at this month’s public Village Council work session. The meeting was well attended by local residents and many attendees spoke up during both public comment opportunities about their concerns regarding STRs in the area.
After six years of debate and strategizing over what to do about STRs in the village, the council was determined to make some decisions during the work session. Council President Dan Davis began by taking a poll of the council members by show of hand to see where each of them stand on STR regulation options.
“The way I see it we have three options: we can do nothing, we can have a registration, or we can write an ordinance,” Davis explained.
The initial polling showed four members for a registration and three for an ordinance, with some members bringing up the option of adding a cap on STRs on top of a registration or ordinance.
As of the meeting, 16% of properties in the Village of Empire are registered as short term rentals, 35% of homeowners are seasonal residents, and 45% are year round residents.
The council sparred over whether it is necessary for regulation to write an ordinance and how high to place the cap on STRs.
“I think the bottom line is that we have a responsibility tonight to at least discuss the possibility that we need to regulate (short term rentals) in terms of livability, safety, and how they affect the nature of this community,” trustee Meg Walton said.
Walton went on to emphasize the importance of assuring that all STR’s can comply with safety regulations in order to protect the village by saying, “The ordinance would allow us as a council to be responsive to the needs and necessity of what this village needs.”
She tied these concerns into the idea that by introducing a formal regulation ordinance of STR’s, community members would be directed to the council if problems arise instead of having to rely on police.
Walton’s proposal garnered agreement and prompted a comment from council member Ella Sckrocki.
“We’re gambling on the quality of life for our residents,” said Skrocki.
Skrocki passionately explained her experience of feeling pushed out of the community by STR owners and got nods of agreement when she said how she wants STR owners to be dedicated to the community and not just looking for an income.
Throughout the back and forth, member Maggie Bacon consistently pushed the other members to pay attention to and understand the data as opposed to making an emotional decision. Bacon frequently mentioned that she believes in Empire and that it is a resilient place. Her belief is that the council needs to take small steps that can be amended instead of one larger leap. This stance also garnered much agreement from other members.
The council eventually unanimously agreed on the need for a registration ordinance with a cap, that can be changed in the future if needed, on the number of STRs allowed in the village. A motion was introduced to turn the plan over to the planning commission, which will review the ordinance and then give their recommendation back to the council. This motion passed unanimously as well.
The meeting ended with community members encouraging the council to incentivise long term rentals and keep in mind that they serve the community as a whole.
The next regular meeting will be held on May 27 at 7 p.m. in the Empire Township Hall, and the next work session will be held on June 12 at 7 p.m. in the same location.
All meetings and work sessions are open to the public.
In other business Tuesday night, the council discussed selecting a new village attorney from candidates based in Traverse City as opposed to Grand Rapids allowing more accessibility to legal counsel. Davis agreed with Chase adding that he would like to meet candidates in person and interview references before making a choice instead of voting at that time. A motion was introduced and passed to wait on attorney selection until further review of candidates can be performed.
