By Mike Deak, MyCentralJersey.com
Despite some reservations and the probability it might undergo changes, the Township Council has introduced an ordinance to crack down on Airbnb and other short-term rentals.
The Council vote 3-2 on Thursday to move the ordinance forward to a public hearing and possible vote on final adoption on Aug. 17.
“Let’s get the damn thing done,” Councilman Allen Kurdyla said.
The ordinance would require Airbnb and other short-term rental websites to offer rentals for no less than 30 days.
The township’s action was prompted by neighborhood complaints about short-term rentals of a house on Gateshead Drive off Papen Road. Neighbors told the Township Council they call the house the “Gateshead Hotel.”
The neighbors told the Council that the house with a pool is often rented for a weekend for house parties that disrupt the quiet neighborhood.
Township Administrator Michael Pappas told Council members that the township zoning and construction officers, after consulting with the township’s legal team, will be taking “decisive action” on enforcing codes on the property.
Pappas said the zoning officer has already found a couple violations.
While Council members said last month they wanted to expedite action on the ordinance, some Council members, after reflecting on the issue, said the township should consider pumping the brakes on passing the ordinance.
Though there is a need to take action, Council President Michael Kirsh said “we want to take the right action.”
Kirsh said he was concerned about definitions in the ordinance and said it should include “appropriate carve-outs.”
“I like to move ahead, but want to do it the right way,” he said.
Councilman Tim Ring said he was concerned that the ordinance focuses on one “problem child” while unfairly affecting other property owners.
“We have to fix it, but this ordinance may not be the right fix,” he said.
Ring said “we have some work to do this” and voted to introduce the ordinance so the Council could gather more input from residents.
Councilman Filipe Pedroso said the proposed ordinance was excessive, had a broad scope and was “totally unfair.”
“You’re going to hurt a lot of good people,” he said.
Pedroso also said that if action is now being taken by township officials, “why go out of our way to make more government regulations when it’s not needed?”
But Councilman Howard Norgalis said the township needs to address the Gateshead Drive situation and other cases in Bridgewater.
On AirBnB there is another five-bedroom house off Washington Valley Road being touted as a “mansion resort” for $1,734 a night.
“It’s time to fish or cut bait,” he said.
If there are material changes to the ordinance, the adoption and public hearing will be delayed or the present draft can be tabled and a whole new ordinance drafted.
Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com