MAPLETON – Mapleton Council is exploring whether to regulate short-term rentals.
Michelle Brown, planning and development manager for the Township appeared before council Tuesday night with a report and draft bylaw.
Under the Planning Act, the Township must hold a public meeting on the issue prior to voting on any regulations, something many on council agreed was necessary.
“I do know that we’ve had properties come through this room where an application of a short-term rental accommodation bylaw could be appropriate,” said Martin.
Some councillors were concerned that too many regulations would require a lot of staff time to enforce and would be a burden on taxpayers. Brown admitted that will need to be taken into consideration when drafting any final bylaw.
Brown told council there have not been any complaints about short-term rentals in Mapleton but typical concerns other municipalities see involve too many people in a building and parking issues. Not all thought there was a need for extensive regulations in the Township.
“This to me seems to be a little bit of overreach,” said Mayor Gregg Davidson. “Maybe baby steps, maybe as Councillor Martin has alluded to, maybe saying the definition of what they are may be enough for us at this point.”
Staff will be organizing a public meeting to gather input and will be bring those comments and a potential bylaw back to council.
