University Park residents Tuesday weighed in during a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on whether short-term rentals like Airbnb and Vrbo should be restricted in the city or not.
City of University Park staff confirmed about 15 short-term rentals in the city, but the amount varies.
Discussion on the issue goes back to 2019. Most recently, The City Council referred discussion of a potential zoning ordinance change regarding short-term rentals to the Planning and Zoning Commission back in September. The Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on Tuesday, March 25.
Among the options city staff said could be on the table are banning short-term rentals citywide, prohibiting them in certain areas, regulating them citywide, or holding on taking action on the issue.
Some residents, including Trey Howse, said they were concerned about traffic, noise, and other disruptions around short-term rentals.
Howse said since a place next to him became a short-term rental, he’s had early-morning knocks on his door and unpermitted cars on the street.
Letitia Lii said she could understand the potential need for short-term rentals, but is concerned about potential strain on municipal services.
“I think as a community, I think we need to appreciate our community services here, and I…really would appreciate reserving our police and our fire department for those cases that (benefit) residents,” Lii said.
Matthew Dixon said he operates a short-term rental, doesn’t dispute that there are issues with things like parking or other “nuisances,” and that short-term rentals “maybe aren’t appropriate” for areas zoned for single-family use.
Other residents said they haven’t had issues with short-term rentals.
Mark Hefflefinger said he has a cottage next door to his house that he’s rented out on Airbnb since 2019 without issues.
“Most of my people are SMU families, families that used to live in Park Cities that want to visit…,” Hefflefinger said. “If it’s managed and well-run, I think they’re a benefit.”
Any ordinance change would have to go back before the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council to be enacted.
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