By Megan Kelley
Review Writer
LAKE ORION — During its meeting on July 24, the Lake Orion Village Council reopened the discussion about a potential short term rental ordinance for rentals less than 30 days that are located in the Downtown Center.
The council voted 6-0 in favor of requesting the village planning commission to review and discuss potential ways forward and make a recommendation to council. Council President Pro-Tem Teresa Rutt was absent from the meeting.
“A need for short term rentals exists within the community due to the fact that the village experiences numerous visitors for lake recreation purposes,” said village Manager Darwin McClary.
Currently, the village zoning code prohibits short term rentals and, according to McClary, could potentially be considered exclusionary zoning and in violation of state law.
Council President Jerry Narsh had previously requested administration to look into an ordinance establishing zoning for short term rentals to avoid the village being challenged legally for not providing such zoning.
Councilmember Carl Cyrowski also voiced his support for an ordinance.
“It (short term rentals) brings people into the downtown, we don’t have a hotel in the downtown area,” Cyrowski said. “This would facilitate. If people wanted to come down here, stay here and enjoy our village and be a part of it for a day or two.”
Councilmember Nancy Moshier questioned where the information showed they had visitors coming to the downtown for things, to which Councilmember Ken Van Portfliet explained that it shows in the downtown businesses, like 20 Front Street, who are unable to lodge music acts in the village.
Narsh also added that short term rentals are often used when events come to town, or when films are shot in communities.
The council was in agreement that they did not want short term rentals in residential areas.
Councilmember Michael Lamb emphasized that creating an ordinance would require a good deal of work to make sure the rentals are inspected and well-regulated.
Village council discusses potential short term rental ordinance for downtown added by mmkelley on
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What?! If anyone is interested in running a short term rental property in the Village feel free to contact any number of council members, that can show you how to do it now. Or the paint chipping, foot tall grass property across from my house on Bellevue. It’s been going on for years
I wonder where a short term rental would be if not in a residential area.
I also wonder how old the ordinance against short term rentals is. ( 3 years?)
I wonder how the inspection and regulation of the rentals would be paid for
I wonder how statements are made and then just assumed to be true. ( “a need exists” ? )
I live in a residential area and i have a STR across the street from me that has had all class of people in and out of it for years. You should see it peeling paint and foot tall weeds
The current ordinance against short term rentals isn’t enforced and due to the villages lack of funds an attorney cant get paid to appear in court on its behalf. If a person wants to open a rental my suggestion is just do it , ordinance or not.