Proposed short-term rental ordinance resparks debate on Tybee Island
Some property owners on Tybee Island are upset at a proposed new ordinance to reduce the number of short-term rentals in residential districts by terminating STR permits upon sale of the home.
For nearly an hour, homeowners spoke during the public comment period at Tybee Island's City Council meeting Thursday night, expressing their concerns with the proposed ordinance, which was up for discussion only.
In October 2022, Tybee Island passed an ordinance concerning short-term rentals, which prohibited new short-term rentals from being allowed in residential zoning districts R-1, R-1-B, and R-2, which is most of the island.
The preamble of the ordinance, which explains and justifies further restrictions, states that due to the inequity of the present ordinance, grandfathered properties have a monopoly on short-term rentals in residential areas, which increases the value of the grandfathered properties at the expense of their neighbors.
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To reduce them, the city has considered its best option to be to further prohibit STRs in residential areas by dissolving STR permits upon sale or transfer of the properties.
"There is no way to enact this ordinance without negatively impacting homes outside of just those STVR's that may resale," said STVR property manager and hotel owner Corey Jones. "Plain and simple. No way you can do it. I would ask you to take a little time to make sure you get this right. You don't need to rush into it."
Tybee property owners took issue with issue with several provision in the draft ordinance, but their chief concern was its infringing on their rights as property owners as well as potentially limiting streams of income for both the individual homeowners and the city.
"One of the pros in keeping the license as it is, is additional city revenue generated through license fees and hotel-motel tax," said Dianne Kessler, resident of Tybee and a real estate agent for 27 years. "More tourists coming to Savannah supports local commerce, local restaurant shops and tourist attractions."
The median age of the more than 3,000 people who live on Tybee is 63, meaning most of them are either close to or are at retirement age. Kessler said that STRs generate a much-needed income stream, especially in retirement. Several residents spoke about how they originally bought STR's as part of their retirement plan, but the confusion and "drama" surrounding the ordinances have caused headaches for them.
"I can tell you at least three contracts that fell through on our home due to the instability of what the STR permit is going to be allowed to do," said resident Roger Huff. "I can't tell you how much anxiety and sleep I've lost over the years living here because of things like this, which will basically bankrupt us, if you take our certificate away."
There was little discussion over the ordinance from city council members. Councilmember Kathryn Williams took a moment to clarify and emphasize to the audience that the ordinance was for residential areas only. Councilmember Bill Garbett said that, to him, it seems unreasonable to allow short-term rentals to continue in perpetuity, when originally, short-term rentals operated in residential neighborhoods as non-conforming use, which usually have timeframes associated with them.
"I think the proposal offered here is a great way to begin to recover our residential neighborhoods," Garbett said.
Councilmember Spec Hosti was the only member to speak against the ordinance.
"I've been here since 1956, and Tybee has always been a vacation destination," Hosti said. "It's never bothered me. I think all this stuff about it destroying our communities is wrong. I think it's brought more families here, and I think we still have a great community."
Arthur Mortell, who has a home on Tybee, said, "What are you costing us in this plan to lose our permits? How do I sell my house and get the money that I paid for the permit... If this goes through and I can't get [the cost of the permit] back, I'm coming after you for the money."
"Don't lose focus with threats," cautioned Julia Pearce, founder and director of the nonprofit, Tybee MLK. "I understand that these people are upset and angry, but they're late to the game to be angry."
A nearly 30-year resident of Tybee Island, Pearce expressed that increasingly the intrusion of STVRs in residential neighborhoods has led to a loss of community and that people no longer know their neighbors.
"You have to look out for more than just these people's interests and what their going to do with their children's children and all of that," Pearce said.
The ordinance will be up for first reading at the next council meeting on Feb. 22.
Destini Ambus is the general assignment reporter for Chatham County municipalities for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach her at dambus@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Proposed short-term rental ordinance reignites debate on Tybee Island
