While all 36 STR permits available have already been granted, zoning administrator Scott Sheehan reported that 16 additional STR properties have been caught violating the town ordinance on short term rentals by not being registered during Cleveland Townships September regular meeting.
While these violators will be fined, the property owners are allowed to finish out the rental season.
To address the issue, Supervisor Tim Stein proposed raising the township’s rental cap from 33% (36 units) to 4% (45 units). Stein cited that other tourist destination townships such as South Haven give STR permits to one in four households, equalling a 20% cap. The board seemed in favor of the idea and will revisit the proposal at its November meeting.
A major discussion centered on the Fire and Emergency Services budget. Rising insurance premiums - up 14% this year - are straining the department’s finances. Current agreements cap annual budget increases at 10%, but board members agreed the cap no longer reflects real costs.
Trustees authorized the representative to support a plan for establishing a new budget baseline.
“Lets set a realistic budget that can actually provide us with the type of coverage that we’re expecting out in the applicable townships, which is still, in my opinion, a relative bargain for fire and emergency services,” Stein said.
The maintenance report noted that new driveway marker posts were installed at the township park to protect a reseeded area, and that the cemetery watering system will be turned off in mid October.
The board received a request from the M22 Scenic Byway Committee for continued township representation. Stein said that he will update the township’s contact information and decide whether to attend the meetings on the township’s behalf.
