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HomeMy Public PortalAboutLetters from residents.pdfJan LeViner From: R Sproul <tybeegolfer@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2019 10:17 AM To: Jan LeViner Subject: Short Term Rentals July 11, 2019 To: City Council Members and Mayor of Tybee Island Re: Short Term Rentals Please read my letter into the minutes tonight at the council meeting. I am a long time (full time) Tybee resident and would like to express my concern about the amount of short term rentals and way they are handled on this island. There are too many homes crammed full of people—a true safety hazard. Too many cars for the amount of true parking space in those homes, using tremendous amounts of our limited water supply by visitors generating enormous amounts of trash that smell up the neighborhoods that often don't care who they keep up and disturb with their loud, drunken late night parties. Although I understand that Airbnb and other short term companies (that have no interest in the type of neighborhoods they're creating) have infiltrated our island and communities across the world, it is time our city did something to better protect our quality of life. Although I do not have any tried and true solutions to offer, it would seem like common sense could be applied as to the amount of renters any one home should allow. Does the city fire marshal check these homes like they do other businesses when a license is given or a short term rental company takes the home on for rental? Don't we as a city have any zoning laws that would apply to this situation? Do the rental outlets just cram as many beds as possible into these houses without some limits based on the size/number of bedrooms in the home? I've watched far too many wonderful neighbors pack it in and move off the island out of frustration and disappoint over this issue in the past couple of years. It seems that our city has not cared enough to be proactive or reactive as this problem has escalated. It has also appeared in recent years that some of our leaders have been far more focused on the profits the rentals create and their relationships with the short term rental companies than with the impact it has made on full time residents on the island. Thank you for your time. Robert Sproul PO 1237 Tybee Island, GA 31328 1 Jan LeViner From: Diana Roe Hollis <councilhollis@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2019 2:47 PM To: Jan LeViner Subject: Short term rental issue My husband and I own a home on the south end of Tybee. We come down several times a month....to get away from the drama and bustle of Atlanta. The rental companies seem to overstuff the houses on 14th with riffraff. Loud music, foul language and cars parked on our lawn Calls to the agents don't get returned and the problems do not seem to be a priority with our TIPD. All the party people need to be on the beach side of Butler. Or the noise ordinance needs to be enforced. And no golf carts on Jones! In our village, carts must be street Iegal, insured, inspected and permitted annually! It works! Please read this letter into the minutes of the meeting tonight. Thank you, Diana Roe Hollis, Councilmember City of Stone Mountain The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge - Stephen Hawking i Jan LeViner From: Kevin McAteer <ksmcateer@aol.com> Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2019 '12:19 PM To: Jan LeViner Subject: Short Term Vacation Rentals agenda item Hello Jan, Can you please share my comments below with the mayor and City Council regarding the Short Term Vacation Rentals agenda item at tonight's City Council meeting? Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the meeting. Thanks, Kevin McAteer Dear Mayor Buelterman and City Council members, My wife and I are owners of 1515 Miller Ave. We purchased the lot, which was empty at the time, and built our home in 2016. We had been coming to Tybee Island for several years, visiting close friends who own a house on 6th Ave, which convinced us that we wanted to be a part of the Tybee community. We travel to Tybee several times a year both to make improvements to the property as well as to enjoy the beach, the community, Savannah, and have made friends with our neighbors. Since building our home, we have participated in local events such as the St Patrick's Day parade and the New Years Day polar plunge. Additionally, we attended movies/events and provide financial support to the Tybee Post Theater, and most restaurants on the Island. Our home is currently a vacation rental manged by Tybee Vacation Rentals (TVR). We picked TVR because we were confident that they would take superior care of the property and that they were vigilant as to who rents their properties. They have high standards for maintaining and managing our home and all their properties. This is important to us because we intend for this to be our retirement home. We are adamantly opposed to any attempt to outlaw vacation rentals on the island. This challenges home owner property rights, regardless of permanent residency. We have a large investment in our home both with purchasing the land and building the structure. We also put great effort into our property and our neighbors homes to cleanup and recover from damage caused by hurricanes Matthew and Irma. Outlawing vacation rentals ignores the benefits of consumer spending and job creation that it provides to Tybee Island. Our hotel and sales taxes go to provide city services and infrastructure. We also feel that any attempt to impinge on homeowners rights to conduct vacation rentals would risk putting our city into the possibility of expensive litigation. Regards, Kevin and Susan McAteer 306 Park Rd Alexandria, VA 22301 Cell: 703-346-6051 1 Jan LeViner From: Colin Stephen Cady <cscady@yahoo.com> Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2019 10:26 AM To: Jan LeViner Subject: STVRs and Golf carts Dear Ms. LeViner: As property owners and part-time residents on Tybee Island, we believe that STVRs and golf cart ownerships should be grandfathered in. Please record this at the city council meeting this evening. Thank you. Sincerely, Colin S. Cady Karen L. Garappolo 1412 Jones Avenue 1 Jan LeViner From: Melanie Clearman <minclrmn©windstream.net> Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2019 12:09 PM To: Jan LeViner Subject: Golf Carts Good Afternoon, I am unable to attend the meeting this evening, but would like to express my opinion to be shared with the Mayor. I believe that golf carts should only be driven by licensed drivers and existing restrictions should be enforced (no golf carts on 8o, except crossing at designated intersections). Golf carts should have working signals, brake lights, seat belts, etc. No tandem golf carts! Enforcement should include ticketing! I've seen many around the Island driven by children and operating in the midst of vehicular traffic on 80. Gathering of large numbers of people should be controlled at STVRs. It creates parking problems and noise problems for full time residents. Noise restrictions should be upheld. Thank you. Melanie Clearman 8 Teresa Lane TI 1