Chattanooga City Councilwoman Carol Berz
Staff photo by John Rawlston/Chattanooga Times Free Press Chattanooga City Councilman Chip HendersonThe Chattanooga City Council will hold public hearings Aug. 30 on regulations for short-term vacation rentals.
The topic has played a recurring role in council discussions over the last month as the city attorney's office reviews possible legislation on the subject. At the matter's heart is how - and if - to permit short-term vacation rentals in neighborhoods outside of normal residential rezoning processes.
In a recent meeting, Councilwoman Carol Berz called on her colleagues to hold a frank discussion on a number of issues impacting neighborhood lifestyles, including short-term rentals, boarding houses and home occupations.
"Somehow, we need to consider everyone," Berz said. "And I would like, before we start passing all this stuff, to be discussing it. We owe something to the people who may want to live in the traditional Dick-and-Jane neighborhood or whatever."
Berz reiterated concerns voiced earlier this year by the council over internet-based rental sites, such as Airbnb, that allow residents to rent space in their homes to travelers.
"We keep doing this one size fits all, and one size doesn't," Berz said. "I think it's important that we protect the integrity of neighborhoods. I just do."
Councilman Chip Henderson said he wants the panel to move forward on the issue and "vote it up or down" after waiting two years on a better planning tool solution.
"I don't think we are reinventing the wheel, because we have a tool for short-term vacation rentals, and it's called rezoning," Henderson said.
An alternative to the normal rezoning process likely will involve a certification process, according to discussions between City Attorney Wade Hinton and council members.
Henderson said some people do not oppose short-term vacation rentals, but the rezoning itself. He added that a number of city planners said the practice amounted to "spot zoning" in some cases.
Changing a property from R1 zoning, a standard designation for single-family dwellings, to R3 allows for short-term vacation rentals. However, R3 zoning also allows multiple family dwellings, such as apartments, as well as boarding houses and bed and breakfasts.
Councilman Yusuf Hakeem, chairman of the panel's planning committee, agreed with the need for a public discussion.
"Some people feel like we've already made our minds up," Hakeem said.
Hakeem said he expects John Bridger, executive director of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency, will discuss short-term rentals and related matters at the council's 1:30 p.m. strategic planning session on Aug. 30, before the public hearings.
Hakeem has proposed a tentative date of Sept. 13 to vote on proposed short-term vacation rental regulations.
Contact staff writer Paul Leach at 423-757-6481 or pleach@timesfreepress.com. Follow on Twitter @pleach_tfp.