During the City Council meeting held on January 13, 2025, in Rock Hill, South Carolina, discussions centered around proposed zoning ordinances aimed at addressing homelessness and regulating hotel stays. The meeting highlighted significant concerns from both hotel operators and homelessness service providers regarding the potential implications of these regulations.

One of the primary topics was the proposed 30-day limit on guest stays in hotels, which some council members and hotel owners argued could inadvertently reduce available accommodations for individuals experiencing homelessness. Rohit Patel, a hotel owner, raised questions about how the city would track guest stays across multiple hotels, emphasizing the logistical challenges of monitoring such regulations. He also expressed concerns about the financial implications of canceling reservations due to the new ordinance.

The council also discussed the requirement for hotels to collect and share detailed guest information, including identification for guests over 18 and the number of children in a room. This proposal was met with skepticism from hotel operators, who questioned the feasibility of maintaining such records and the burden it would place on their operations.

Melissa Carlisle, representing the Catawba Area Coalition for the Homeless, voiced concerns that the proposed regulations could exacerbate unsheltered homelessness. She emphasized the coalition's reliance on hotels for housing individuals and families who cannot access traditional shelters due to limited availability. Carlisle urged the council to involve service providers in future discussions to ensure that the needs of vulnerable populations are adequately addressed.

Dan Robertson, a local resident and contractor, echoed these sentiments, arguing that the proposed zoning changes might not effectively address the complexities of homelessness and could lead to unintended consequences. He raised legal concerns regarding the ordinance's provisions for room inspections, suggesting they could violate constitutional rights.

The meeting underscored the delicate balance the city must strike between regulating hotel operations and addressing the pressing issue of homelessness. As the council considers these proposals, the feedback from hotel owners and service providers will be crucial in shaping a solution that meets the needs of all stakeholders involved. The council is expected to continue discussions on these matters in future meetings, with an emphasis on finding a collaborative approach to the challenges at hand.