Short-term rentals require zoning change
The Special Events Ordinance was approved with Mayor Donna Whitener’s suggestion during a regular meeting Tuesday, January 12.
In addition, the Short-Term Rental Variance was removed from the Short-Term Vacation Rental Ordinance, and water rates for short-term rentals were changed.
Whitener had previously vetoed the Special Events Ordinance twice as she preferred to not put a number on the amount of individuals and vehicles that would constitute a parade.
That said, the definition of the parade, per the ordinance is as follows:
“Parades, marches, protests and processions means a group of people or vehicles proceeding or moving in a body or a concert along the streets or sidewalks of the city.”
Council members Nathan Fitts and Rhonda Haight argued that this was the first they had heard of Whitener’s suggestion; however, she previously presented the same definition during a November 30 meeting.
In the “best interest” of the city as a whole, Haight moved to remove the Short-Term Rental Variance from the ordinance.
In order to rent homes out as short-term rentals, individuals will now have to apply for a zoning change instead of the variance.
Councilman Mike Panter moved to change the water rate associated with short-term rental homes from residential to commercial.
“Some of these short-term rentals, which is a business, is on residential water rates,” he said.
His motion passed.
Whether or not to purchase a fire truck was tabled until the city receives their fire training, per Haight.
Whitener suggested purchasing one with the money collected from delinquent taxes.
Councilwoman Robbie Cornelius opposed tabling the vote.
Panter moved to have City Attorney James Balli review all signed contracts and agreements for the last five to six months, which passed.
“A few weeks ago, we almost voted on something that, come to find out, we were in violation of the charter,” he said.
Fitts questioned why something hasn’t been done about the “mayor’s violations” if they’re following the charter.
Panter responded that it is Fitts’ opinion.
Building inspections were tabled as they’re awaiting further information.
Changing meeting times was tabled.
Talk of granting the Downtown Development Authority the power to create and maintain guidelines for an architectural review was tabled.
Traver Akins, with the Blue Ridge Housing Authority, spoke of a 50-year agreement with the city that ended last year.
It was alleged that the two parties’ attorneys have been hashing out the terms.
The council agreed to table the matter for their February meeting and allow the attorneys, Akins, Haight and Panter to negotiate in the mean time.
A 2020 Ford Explorer that was “budgeted and approved” in 2019, according to Whitener, was approved for pick up, unanimously.
“Hey, mayor,” Fitts said challenging that it was budgeted for. “Will you resign from office if you’re wrong?”
The vehicle had been ordered by Chief of Police Johnny Scearce in 2019 and has been at the dealership since its arrival.
The cost of the vehicle was listed at $32,368.40, which includes a $300 charge for housing the vehicle so long.
Early in the meeting, Fitts moved to table the minutes from the October 6 workshop, and the motion passed unanimously.
Haight and Fitts attended the meeting via teleconference as a result of COVID-19.
Several purchase orders were approved: Carter & Sloope for $8,945.11, CVS pump station repair from September for $9,123.24, and CVS pump station repair from October for $15,025.23.
Panter moved to terminate the meeting just before the council was set to move into discussion, which passed unanimously.