Town wondering what kind of regs to impose on Airbnb

JOSH DAVIS/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
A new town motto, “19th Century Charm, 21st Century Living,” was recently added to the council chamber in Berlin Town Hall.

By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer

(Dec. 19, 2019) Members of the Berlin Planning Commission discussed the status of a short-term rental policy in town for the third consecutive meeting last Wednesday.

Chairman Chris Denny asked Planning Director Dave Engelhart about the procedures for staying in rental properties operated through online companies such as Airbnb.

“We’re working on a draft now to come up with an ordinance,” Engelhart replied.

Engelhart said Berlin’s code has language for owner-occupied bed- and-breakfasts, but nothing else.

“There was no such thing as Airbnb when they wrote the code for Berlin,” Engelhart said during a November meeting. “Now we’re here, we’re in the 21st century.”

Engelhart added the discussions would focus on the R-1 and R-2 residential districts. It’s unclear if apartment sectors would be applicable.

Engelhart clarified that short- term would be considered less than 28 days as is the case in the policies of Ocean City and Worcester County.

Ocean City strengthened its rental license program and Worcester County has been working on instituting one. The Worcester County Commissioners voted last month to set an annual license fee for short-term rental properties, which is considered less than 28 days, to $200 per year.

The fees would also cover employment for two county staff positions and software costs.

Town Administrator Jeff Fleetwood further pressed the issues when he asked for the commission members’ opinions on the matter.

“I wouldn’t want to live next to it,” Denny said.

Planning Commission member Ron Cascio expressed his concerns with the potential for problems. He cited the impacts short-term rentals were having in Delaware, partly because of increased traffic they generate.

“In Lewes, people are moving, long-term residents are moving out of town,” Cascio said during a November meeting.

While some members took a hard stance on the issue, others, like Planning Commission member John Barrett appeared to waiver.

“It’s a hard thing to answer because I don’t know. I’m not sure,” Barrett said.

Engelhart said that he’d like to have a draft ready for the commission members to review by January.