(4/21) The Carroll Valley Short-Term Rental Ordinance is only months old, and borough leaders are already exploring possible revisions.
During their April meeting, the owner of 168 Country Club Trail told the council that he and his wife recently renovated a secondary structure to use as a short-term rental property. The property is located in the Residential 1 zoning district. The borough forbids short-term rentals in the Residential 1, Commercial, and Community Core zoning districts.
A flier the borough distributed in February states the council enacted the short-term rental ordinance "to promote responsible hosting, protect communities, and ensure that this emerging industry contributes positively to our local economy while respecting the interests of residents."
"I don’t think we ever considered the idea that a short-term rental might be an accessory use on the property," Borough Manager David Hazlett said.
Hazlett said the borough could explore a zoning text amendment allowing property owners who are currently residing in their homes to use a portion of it or a secondary structure as a short-term rental.
"It avoids some of the concerns that we were talking about before, such as the proliferation of big corporations putting in short-term rentals," Hazlett said.
The council directed Solicitor Zachary Rice of Salzmann Hughes to research whether such an amendment is allowed by law. If so, the borough planning commission will discuss the proposal.
Chicken Talk
The council made it clear they were tired of squawking about backyard chickens.
Katlyn Weimer and Adam Colson, 8 Fawn Trail, have asked the council since last summer to grant their illegal chickens an official pardon.
Weimer claims a violation Hazlett, in his role as borough zoning officer, filed against the chicken coop is not in compliance with the borough’s ordinances. Hazlett said he and Rice will respond to a letter from Weimer’s attorney after April 15 because they feel it would be premature to respond before she has time to comply with the violation.
Weimer asked Hazlett if the coop would comply with the ordinance if it were no longer permanently attached to the ground. He told Weimer he would discuss the question with her during office hours when he had the opportunity to review the ordinance. Rice reminded council that public comment rules do not require them to discuss issues with residents.
After Council President Richard Mathews told Weimer her allotted five minutes was up, she accused the council of stonewalling her.
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