Heated debate at county commission over vacation rentals
A line of concerned residents looking to speak on the vacation rental issue.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hours of debate over how Hamilton County should handle vacation rentals occurred at Wednesday morning’s County Commission meeting.
If you are unfamiliar, vacation rentals that you can find on websites such as AirBNB and Vrbo have exploded in popularity over the past few years.
This has led to many property owners renting out rooms, basements, even entire homes out to those visiting our community.
However, there is an increased backlash from neighbors who say these visitors are disruptive.
Gene-O Shipley, who represents the Sale Creek and Soddy-Daisy areas of Hamilton County, says his resolution to ban vacation rentals in residential areas was prompted by the experiences of residents with lake homes in his district.
Commissioner Shipley said, “People come in here with boats, Sea-Doos and think that lake looks like an ocean. Beating up the docks, beating up the boats. These people are here for a few days and they’re gone.”
However, Commissioner Joe Graham believes the resolution oversteps the boundaries of the commission.
Commissioner Graham said, “I wore my tie today, showing the American flag because if this resolution passes we are trampling the rights of the people that want to rent their house. Trampling”
That was followed by applause from many in the audience.
However, one resident against vacation rentals in neighborhoods, Michael Goodman, said of vacation rental owners, “Listen at the noise that they make, they’re organized. Why? There’s money behind it. They’re all in it for themselves. Let’s be in it like Gene-O is, let’s be in it for Hamilton County.”
Many of the short term vacation rental owners who spoke out against Wednesday’s resolution say that the notion that they are making a lot of money of these properties is misguided. (53-1:02)
One such owner, Donna Morgan, said, “Most properties are averaging about $30,000 a year. After your expenses and everything, you might be making three to four thousand a year, so it’s not like you’re getting rich off of this, ok?”
Vacation renters say it’s their opportunity to set themselves up in a good place.
Another owner, Natalie Henson, said, “Owning and operating short term rentals is not about a short term gain, it’s about a long term play. I don’t think as an older millennial that I can count on social security income to be there for me when I retire, and so this is my retirement plan.”
The debate is far from over.
Commissioner Shipley said, “The property rights of people that own and live in their home is one thing, and to put their commercial businesses in their neighborhoods is wrong in my opinion.”
Chairman Jeff Eversole has asked for the entire commission to meet for the committee session that will hash out this issue.
They hope to have a resolution that caters to both property owners and their neighbors within 30 days.
