ITEM TITLE:
#24-13 - Amending Chapter 17.80, Section 17.80.090 of the Valdez Municipal Code Titled Short-term Rentals. Second reading. Adoption.
SUBMITTED BY: Kate Huber, Community Development Director
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: n/a
Unencumbered Balance: n/a
Funding Source: n/a
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve Ordinance 24-13 in second reading for adoption.
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
Ordinance #24-13 amends Valdez Municipal Code Title 17 Chapter 17.80 - Specific Use Standards. Specifically, the ordinance makes modifications to section 17.80.090 - Short-term Rentals.
During the process of developing the application and administration process for the short-term rental permit outlined in this section of Valdez Municipal Code, it was identified that the current ordinance language was written specifically for short-term rentals as an accessory use. Because the revision of Title 17 allows short-term rentals as a primary use, it was intended that the permit process and associated requirements would apply to all short-term rentals. For this reason, the City Manager has requested this revision to the zoning ordinance.
Community Development staff have reviewed the request and find it to be in conformance with Plan Valdez, the adopted 2021 Comprehensive Plan - specifically Goal 2.3 - Promote, protect, and build quality housing and associated Action 2.3C - Revise Title 17 to provide guidelines for short-term rental housing and accessory dwelling units.
Staff finds no anticipated impacts relating to public safety, natural resource protection, natural hazards, public services, and existing land uses as a result of this amendment. The amendment includes clarification regarding the required inspection associated with the short-term rental permit which is expected to support public safety within dwellings used as short-term rentals.
Due to the simplicity of this zoning code text amendment, the Community Development Director determined that no map set or technical studies are required.
No written public comments were received at the time of publishing the agenda.
The Planning & Zoning Commission held a public hearing during their regular meeting on October 23, 2024. No public comments were received. The public hearing was noticed on City of Valdez website, at City Hall, in the KVAK e-newsletter and in the Copper River Record.
During the 10/23 meeting the Planning and Zoning Commission voted to approve a recommendation to City Council to adopt Ordinance 24-13. Some discussion occurred regarding the level of discretion this code section gives the Community Development Director regarding safety inspections. No formal modifications to the ordinance were proposed; however the commissioners did mention the appeal process within Title 17. The Community Development Director also offered that City Council may want to consider further refinement of these requirements after 1-2 years of implementation of the short-term rental permit.
First reading of Ordinance 24-13 took place and the regular City Council meeting on November 7, 2024.