Neighbors tell council short‑term rentals can be "extractive," call for density limits and safety checks

Five residents spoke during public comment, describing neighborhood impacts from short‑term rentals and urging policy changes.

Susan Sommerfeld said her house on East Lincoln Street is "entirely surrounded by 14 short‑term rentals" and argued many rentals operate as businesses that do not maintain properties or add neighborhood value. "I failed to see the difference between those two," Sommerfeld said, contrasting a commercial bed‑and‑breakfast with a nearby rental she described as an "eyesore."

Roy Lowenstein, zoning chair of a Near East area commission, urged limits on the concentration of STRs — by census tract, ZIP code or distance — and asked why safety inspections (stairs, kitchen/bath minimums, off‑street parking) are not required for STRs that effectively function like hotels. "We would ask your consideration of those issues," he said.

Dave Doctor urged that license numbers be visible on listings so consumers know they are renting a licensed property, asked for a reliable contact and suggested response windows (45–60 minutes). Nat Sheppard, a co‑host and manager of 26 units, supported platform collection of taxes and suggested streamlined online renewals and data sharing so the city can reconcile active listings with licensed accounts.

Speakers requested: visible license identifiers on listings; enforceable local contact response times; review of occupancy limits tied to bedroom counts; targeted density controls in neighborhoods with high STR concentrations; and clearer safety or inspection standards for multi‑unit STR buildings.

No binding action followed public comment; council staff and departments acknowledged the concerns and promised follow‑up conversations in the new year.