Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

go live. Okay. All right. Good evening. At 7:02, I will call to order the December 16th meeting of the Columbia Burough Planning Commission. May I have a roll call, please? Chairperson Wikenheiser, here. Vice Chair Lynn, here. Secretary Lynn, here. Member Evans here. Member Cres Hartman here. And memberlair here.

Okay. At this time, could we stand for a moment of silent prayer? [snorts]

Pledge to the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. At this time, following the agenda, do I have a motion with regards to the minutes of the planning commission for November 18th that are in your packet? So moved. I'll second it.

Have a motion from Brad, second from Tiff. Any discussion, corrections? Hearing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I. Hi. Okay. On our agenda this evening, we have the review for two properties that will be going before the zoning hearing board on New Year's Eve, December 31st. Eve. [laughter] No way. Are they really having it that time? Really, really. At what time? 7 o'clock.

Oh my gosh. Um we have and what our procedure is for the zoning hearings is we ask those parties who are going before the board to come to planning to present what you will be to the zoning hearing board. We are a recommending body and we will make if we decide to a recommendation to the zoning hearing board pertaining to the properties in question. Ours is not the final say. The zoning hearing board is the final say, but the planning commission is a party to those zoning hearings that they do listen to what we as planning commission have felt the direction that the ruling should go. Okay. So the first property here is 475 Locust Street. Jaylen Anderson, you're requesting a variance for zoning relief from the burough code. I'm not going into it. The permitted uses [snorts] that you want to open a tattoo parlor at 475 Locust Street, which is a downtown commercial. your variance. You would need the variance for that because tattoo parlors are permitted in the highway commercial. Okay. We do have your letter in here if you would if uh members have questions from you if you would care to present.

Pictures. The pictures are are really interesting. I I need to ask when did you settle property? I settled about a month after changed. So you settled in September. Okay. That that No, you settled in October. You settled in October. Oh, I'm I'm in real estate. So I checked it out online. [laughter] So I'm gonna tell you you settled on October 22nd. So I'm just saying you've been in here. Um, my question to you is, why didn't your agent do their due diligence or did you not share with them what you plan to do?

Everyone was on board with the plan and none of us caught it. I had looked into the ordinances, but nobody called the burrow directly.

That was your agent's problem because your agent should have done their due diligence for you. Okay. I'm just saying because it gets caught a lot, not just in your case, but in a lot of other cases that agents are newer agents or even seasoned agents, they just let it slide by and think, well, I care and I don't really know them that well or whatever. The relationship now has been severed because of what they have done and not you not not not done their due diligence in helping you secure a property that you can be there for years if this doesn't go forward. Yeah, it's definitely something I have discussed with my real estate [snorts] aging that this goes well if it doesn't real estate agent.

So, you live upstairs? I do. [snorts]

Jaylen, I read Jaylen, right? I read your letter. It's very well written and I like your dream. I looked at your photos. It looks like you took a photo of the building and somehow used artificial intelligence to put in what it would look like once you have it finished. It looks great. Um, I am concerned that the ordinance right now is against you. Um, and until we make a decision, I'll hold my my vote for right now. I love this brass lady set up the u the photo here. Everything you put together for us is is really beautiful. I have a slight concern. How do I say this without offending with tattoo parlors? Not necessarily like the one that you would have because the way you wrote your letter is this is going to be scaled up completely different than other tattoo parlors that we have in Colombia and have had in Colombia. I had one that was directly across the street in our residential district and it was really bad. It was riffraff all night long and on and off police. And I don't see that with you. First of all, either just looking are you together just looking at the both of you. I don't I don't see that. Um so that's my only concern is riff raff.

But I see you have a different dream than the people that lived across the street from me. They're gone. Another one came in. They were worse than the first one and they're gone and now we're not even allowing the situation to happen again. Um, I hope your dream comes true and one way or another your dream's going to come true. You're welcome. This is so close to being within the highway commercial district

and I would share if you're finished. Yes, I want to interrupt. Okay. That not only is it very close and typically my concern would be to absolutely not recommend in favor of another tattoo parlor because we have so many in Colombia. However, seeing what you presented and in that beautiful building where it is would be to me honestly a very nice fit because it's completely different. It looks very artsy, very upscale like Brad said and um it you know that had been an art studio for a little while. The owner is an art used to be an artist himself. Yes, Mr. Herman Sader. So the way you present it here is completely different than your typical tattoo parlor. And I think like Brad said, your clientele would also be different. And you would just have the probably one or two people at a time, one car probably vehicle-wise. So, um I know this goes against the norm probably, but I would recommend in favor because I I think it's beautiful what you're presenting and completely different than the others that we have.

Jaylen, I didn't get an opportunity to read everything. I tried to read as much as I could. Um but what would the hours be? The hours would be hours. I usually start around 11. Okay. So, no late night hours and Monday through Friday or weekends or I know for Sundays every day it's I pick her choose but it's 11 through 5 days.

Okay. Now, I know the one that we had across the street when um the zoning officer at the time was Jeff Helm, he only allowed them to have I don't know what the ordinance says now, Mary, but he only allowed them to have um by appointment only. What does it what does it say now? I don't know. I'm not sure. I wondered that myself. I don't I don't think the ordinance addresses that

ordinance directly or not. Um, however, I do know that a lot of the there was a large fee involved and the and the gentleman did not want to pay that fee. So Jeff said you're not going to pay that fee then your appointment only. So and see this most recent ordinance that does not get in to the tattoo and the body art. This all this ordinance did was change where it could be. Right. Right.

That's all that did. So you would have to go back to the body piercing, the tattoo to that ordinance to check out anything with regard to ours. Have you applied for the license through the burrow for the per how it worked out? I Yeah, that is tough in terms of timing, right? I mean, I Yeah, building next to me. The fact that you live there says a lot. You probably

That's what Excuse me. That's what I wanted to I did want to add that too. You're exactly what we were looking for to have owner occupied business on the first floor and the owner living there. Yeah. And we appreciate I appreciate you supporting all the Colombia businesses and you plan to to decorate it and also that you chose Colombia because of liking Colombia. So that means a lot. I appreciate that. You probably, you know, for the hearing you probably want to be willing to accept or even put some conditions on the table like that. I mean the fact that you know maybe it does kind of loosen up the board

the situation. Yeah. the board that you do that you you you live in the same building, you own the property. You know, I don't know how they could possibly make that a condition that that's kind of like part of the whole deal. But, you know, that also may help with some of just you have buy in. You're there, you live there, you have a vested interest in whether you know it's a good downtown, but one that also kind of like where people can live without, you know, having a lot of trouble in the middle of the night. So, that's part of it. And I think that also maybe if you came up with like here's the hours that you're willing to kind of live within. So you've been, you know, kind of putting those on the table and say, you know, we don't want this to be a, you know, up until two in the morning type of thing,

right? And I think Justin's right. The fact that you're keeping it to restricted hours, restricted days, and that [snorts] you're living there, you have a vested interest because you're living there in the building and keeping the building and the sidewalk and everything neat the way Mr. Herman Sader did. Yeah. I think that's the way that I would once it gets past us, that's the way I would present it to the zoning board. Yeah. Would it be more appealing for her if it was appointment only that she was running or

I don't know. I don't really know the diff, you know, I mean, I mean know the [clears throat] difference, but I don't know what difference it makes on just kind of to me it seems like something that there's a decent end point in the evening or night or whatever and it's a plus that you're you have a vested interest in what's going on there, you know. Question, do the other tattoo parlors have to go by appointment? No, because there was a and are [clears throat] they owner occupied? Do they live in the building that the tattoo? Not the church. Well, one of them has closed down on Locust Street. The one next to the The one is closed on Locust Street.

Yes. The one down there um in Roads is where uh Roads has his had his property. The one on Cherry Street next to the next to the church there. Next to the former bank to the church. There was a tattoo in there. down. Oh, no. That has closed. No, the one down at 207 is still open. The one down next to the Foresters is still open. And they do offer special events that you can walk in and needless. That's just apartments above that. Right. Right. And I was told that Butcher is not doing

that anymore. I don't think he is. I think I heard that he's not doing it anymore. So, and the one on Cherry Street closed as well. Yeah. So, Oh, it did. Did it? I thought it did. Oh, signs are okay. Well, okay. The last we saw, but that's I was looking at the downtown. I I was I don't I don't think that it would um it would help you or hurt you to be by appointment only or to be open. It wouldn't hurt to ask. that help them be more inclined to I would start with ours. Yeah. If it was my parlor, I would start with ours like you like you do.

Then push came to shove, you know, if they wanted to tighten the condition. But I know at the time it was because of a very large fee that the man said, "I refuse to pay." And so the zoning officer said, "Okay, you can remain open, but it's by these are the conditions."

So the zoning hearing, you're asking the zoning hearing board for a variance, right? And special what's the special exception part? Guess just a variance. It's just the variance. Oh, I see. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So that's that's a tougher. Yeah. Gotcha. That's a tougher ask because you're saying I'd like to do what the ordinance specifically says, you know, not to, but that's where you you're trying to differentiate yourself. Here's the situation. Why? Part of it is you do have a maybe not a legal hardship, but the fact that

you kind of got caught in, you know, a tough period between when you could settle on the property, put the application in or do whatever you needed to do to, you know, get the zoning permit for the use and then you're grandfathered in, you know. So even though it's totally legal what happened, you do have a little bit of that to say, you know, like this is, you know, you were looking at this property, you tried to buy this property, and then the ordinance changed. This is why you bought it. It won't hurt and decided to live there. And decided to live there. Yeah. Right. Yeah. So, I mean, I think that's really kind of how you have to approach it to the hearing,

the zoning hearing board. It's supposed to stay tight to the book, but Right. you know, you start to kind of pile on a lot of these circumstantial things and it kind of paints a different picture of how it could work out. So, further discussion or does this board wish to make a recommendation to the zoning hearing board with regard to 475 focus street? I would make a motion that we recommend in favor of supporting.

Second. Okay. So, Tiffany and Dustin are making a recommendation to the zoning hearing board regarding 475 Locust Street to request the variance for zoning relief. Yes. Thank you. Any further discussion? All in favor signify by saying I. I. I

anyone opposed? Motion carries. So at least going into the zoning hearing, you will have the support of the planning commission and I think it's based on your your living there for making that what we see the downtown as business and residents and your willingness to possibly, you know, work on the hours of operation. Okay. Alrighty. Good luck. Good luck. Good luck. [laughter] If you if you want to leave, feel free to leave. [laughter] All right, I guess. Bye.

Merry Christmas to you. Good luck. Merry Christmas. [clears throat] Okay. Next on our agenda is Wayne Williams with the property at 515 Chestnut Street requesting a bearings for zoning relief [snorts] for a shortterm rental in a low density residential zoned area. We have pictures here.

Have I also I was made aware that some neighbors or one of the neighbors had concern you're Wayne? Yes. Okay. William. Yes. Uh and I was made aware that just last evening. So I took the liberty to take pictures take additional pictures that I passed around during this meeting. So some so what you guys have now you have some documents. Right.

Okay. We have the front of the residence. We have from the other side of the street your garage area in the back. Those are the pictures we have here. Are you planning to live there and rent rooms or are you just planning to rent the whole building and let someone else manage it?

Yep. My voice is affected by my medical condition, so I can't yell project. Um, so my overall plan uh with the property is to keep it 50% occupied, short-term rental. Um, this is my dream home. I purchased it this coming March would be seven years ago.

Um, and a couple years into me purchasing the property, I got diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Um, I was a a fluent avid entrepreneur um, at the time and I was able to with treatment uh, live my normal life. Um as time went on, as time progressed, uh the therapies have time limits. So the cancer will then obviously progress because therapies become ineffective ultimately affecting my physical ability to do what I love um as an entrepreneur. Um and so that's how we're here. I don't want to sell my property and I don't want to lose my property. So, I intend on again having it occupied 50% of the time. That way, it would cover my mortgages, my mortgage utilities, and then I would have some obviously some funds to survive um thereafter. So, that's the overall like intent with the property. So,

do you live there? I do currently live there now. Yes. Would you continue to live there? I will continue to live there. The 50% of the other 50% of the time that I won't have it occupied. Okay. So, you won't be there when it's occupied? No. So, so, so it's so what I intend to do is Airbnb. And the reason I I chose Airbnb is because Airbnb has their own guidelines and their own policy host or potential host within along on top of whatever municipalities ordinances exist.

So, um I've been at this for a year and a half now with uh the burrow office, excuse me. Um, and I'm not going to say I know the burrow's ordinances by heart, but I just had a briefing last week, Thursday, with at least Matt. Paula wasn't in on that meeting, but I've met with Paula, Matt, um, and any and then other representatives of zoning, building code enforcement. Um and and I have no problem uh being and staying co- compliant. Um upon my initial interest in short-term rental, I did begin to alter the property to make it code compliant. I didn't have to do much because the property was already a rental property when I purchased it. So, it already met the criteria to be a long-term.

So, someone with a 12 or 24 month 24-month lease. So, that's all your smoke detectors, your your fire extinguishers, first aid kits, parking, etc. Um, there were just there was a couple things that I needed to do just to make it short term. And and I'll add this, I did make a lot of alterations through the years because again, it's my dream home and I made I made those alterations for myself and my family, my children. Um it's just again unfortunately my health has uh deteriorated beyond my control prompting this. Um but I intend T go choosing Airbnb gives myself and the community uh regulatories that we would have that I would have to follow again outside of the burrow's ordinances which Airbnb is is very supportive like I I wouldn't be able to host or post the property unless Unless there was a license issued by the burrow,

therefore making it legal because there's there's liabilities. They provide hosts with insuranceances. I would have printed all this out, but there's so much so many documents that Airbnb provides their hosts. You everyone in here would get lost. But but I assure you that I'll just give an example. when there when there is a guest that books for Airbnb and I don't know if anyone in here is familiar with the process or not but when a when a guest books uh a time slot there you have to as a host you have to take pictures of the property before the host before the guest even arrives upon their uh upon their departure you have to document the property within 24 hours of them leaving. The burrow has a an ordinance pertaining to short-term rentals that we the host owners or managers or all parties involved have to inspect the property immediately or between each vacancy or each occupancy. So, that's just one example of how Airbnb and any municipality that is um organized and cares about the community, how it could work hand in hand. Um and and again, that's why I picked it. I do not and I don't want to deteriorate the community. Um, I've I feel that I've been a positive addition to the community during my time there. Um, I I don't I I have an idea what my neighbors would say, but I'm not them. So, um, but

I would like to think that there would be positive reviews um about how I have been in the community and and how I consider my neighbors. uh living in the community. My sole purpose of doing this again as I said earlier um is is I it's either it's either I sell the property uh which this is my only primary residence and I love my house. I love Colombia. I don't see myself leaving. Um Mr. Dave can tell you over the last couple years I might have tried to leave. [laughter] But but but um but Colombia just called me back and um and and I again I want to keep my property um and and I don't know if I'm going to do Airbnb permanently. It's just um I may have to have I may have to get what's called a stem cell transplant in somewhere in the near future, one to two, maybe even three years from now, which would ultimately call cause me to be in a facility minimally six months. um at during that time. I mean, I'm just trying to prepare for that time and and I don't have I mean, I don't have anyone to I'm I'm single, so I don't have anyone to pay mortgage during these times and I've had hospital a couple hospital stints uh four or five days. So, so during these times where I physically just can't work or can't even fend for myself, um, should should the worst happen, hospitalized or placed in a facility for

an extended period of time, I could then just have a a management company just step right in, take over, and then they would, excuse me, they would legally have to communicate obviously with the burrow for inspections. Um I don't foresee any incidents um what what I would charge nightly. Um kind of like kind of kind of advertises the property towards families. Um so that limits the type of guests that that would rent,

if you will. And then also uh I'm going to do what's recommended by by Airbnb for this type of property is u like a three night minimum. So at the nightly rate, we're kind of like we're kind of weeding out unwanted guests and then I ultimately have the ability to uh pick who I rent to. So it's not there are some rental properties there is there are rental properties street where I have seen where the landlord does not care who they rent to

and they are all longterm though and they are longterm yes longterm right h however some of those long-term tenants I wish weren't longterm [laughter]

okay um which which in case if there was a and and I do want to stress If there is a short-term tenant that causes any problem for any reason, Airbnb's policy is an immediate immediate termination of lease and they have to immediate eviction. Um, so if the police are called if there's a disturbance, there's no parties allowed at Airbnb after a certain time at after 9:00, there's no parties, there's no loud music. I mean again it's pretty much what the burrow Airbnb's guidelines policies procedures for both host and guest really coincide with the burrow and and even goes beyond the burrow's uh ordinances in in in some instances. So, uh, in in short, I'm not, uh, I I don't intend on having any incidents. Excuse me. And if and if there are any incidents, obviously, I'm going to follow all of guidelines, policies, procedures, [snorts] and and the short-term tenants will be gone. I mean, that's just it. Excuse [cough and clears throat] me, [snorts]

Wayne. When this property would be rented out, where would you be? So, [cough] excuse [clears throat] me. Because I would assume that you would be managing it. That's correct. So, the burrow's ordinance, I believe, if I could remember correctly, is Yeah, there's a distance. There's a distance, right?

Like 10 miles or 20 something like that. [clears throat] Excuse [laughter] me. [snorts] So, I do have friends local here in Columbia that I could stay with during the time. [clears throat] Excuse me. I would have to say here in Columbia and Lincoln County close by um I can't physically do a lot of the maintenance that [clears throat] I once able was I was able to however I do have [cough] [snorts] I do have relationships with local contractors licensed and insured.

My my concern was where would you be? Sure. Right here in Lang when when that property is being used by [laughter] right here in Langston County. And is there sufficient parking to the rear of the property and back of those garages? Is there outside? And you need questions. in the back of the property where the garages are. Can vehicles park in back of there? Yes. And be out of the alley? [cough] [clears throat]

Yes. So, right now I have a my work van is parked back there. I didn't leave it. I didn't have the van in the picture just so you guys get clear. So two vehicles can park in front of both garage. Okay. And lengthwise lengthwise. Yes. Yes. Parallel. Yes. Parallel. So the reason you need this variance is because you are in a low density residential and the short-term rentals are only permitted in medium density residential business areas.

Correct. and you would comply with the single family detached home. Your issue is the zoning district that you are in. Correct. Correct. [snorts] Anyone have any questions here? [clears throat] Excuse me. The cancer spread recently and swell my So talking for extended periods of time agitates my throat. So please bear with me. [clears throat]

I have a comment. Can I mention something? Yes.

Um there are birds that are stopping Airbnb. Strasburg Linets is stopping all Airbnbs. So there's a reason why they don't want them. And I pulled it up. It says lit its PA is isn't complete of Airbnb, but it is strict rules, especially within the burrow requiring owners to live on the property like a primary residence or owner occupied B&B, but limiting non-owner rentals due to zoning changes to preserve the neighborhood character and address housing concerns, a common trend in PA towns facing influx of tourists. tourist state supreme court ruling in 2019 also clarified that the STRs often violate traditional residential zoning unless explicitly allowed pushing towns to regulate and to restrict them. So there are more towns and burrows that are stopping Airbnb. So I'm not for Airbnb. I I'm never for an Airbnb unless it's in the designated area where we have already agreed to. Uh there people coming in and out on a regular basis where nobody knows who they are. Long-term rentals is long-term rental, but an Airbnb, you don't know who's going to be there from one week to the next. And what if that neighborhood has small children playing in the street? Are they safe? Now, we don't know this. um what are their intentions of coming to stay except for just to visit the town? We don't know that. We don't we're here to protect our citizens. And when we have other people coming in on a regular basis, this is very uncomfortable for me. I know we have one in uptown Colombia and there's a lot of flack about that

because that they're not happy with this. The neighborhood is not happy with that because PE there's four and five cars there. They have all street parking for four vehicles and they're lined up on the street. So there's not just four vehicles there. There are six most of the time there. I live around the corner from it, so I know it. So I'm just saying you have only two parking spaces down there. This is an interruption to the neighborhood. It is a very peaceful one-way street and it's it's challenging to get parking on that oneway street because not everybody has parking in [laughter] their houses. [clears throat] That's my feel on it. I'm not in favor of Airbnb,

but everybody else might feel differently about this. So across the street, directly across the street from my property is a five unit.

I understand that. If I could please finish, there's a five unit apartment building with a yard almost twice the size of mine that does not not only does it not provide parking for its current residents. The landlord himself doesn't care whom he rents to. And at any given time, I was just at my property just now and everyone's not home yet. At any given time to to tonight, there will be seven to 10 vehicles,

right,

from [snorts] that particular building. And no one from the burrow is doing anything about it. And it has been problematic for not just myself, but for the community. Not only not only does that building and and that's a code violation period point blank fact. There's nothing being done about it. Not only is that a code violation since I have lived in in that property there have been narcotic transactions. Not only have there been narcotic transactions, there have been narcotic investigations in which the landlord has turned blind eye many times. And there's been police activity. Not only has there been police activity, there have been tenants evicted because of incidents that they created in the neighborhood against innocent neighbors in which one of the incidents I was involved in to protect.

Can we get back? Sorry. Your property. I'm sorry. Please. I I just take it a little personal because because it's we allow we allow one or some owners to to do things or get away with. And then when someone else is trying to do the right thing, now we're going to call foul. And nothing I don't mean any offense. I don't mean any harm, but I do have to point that out that there is an active property that is enough. [snorts] That's it.

So, and then but I have two I have two parking spaces and I and and let me exemplify this. This year I I visited Austin, Texas. I stayed in an Airbnb myself. The host of the Airbnb gave strict instructions Should we not follow those strict instructions from parking to storage to laundry to etc etc. Should we not have followed any of those guidelines, procedures, instructions, we would be fine. So, in my application, well, not my application, I sent at least a a an email stating that all short-term [clears throat] all short-term residents or occupants will be instructed, meaning they have to park in the backyard in the back. No exception. And if Mr. rook or any other neighbor, any other neighbors that I have good relationships with that will keep eyes out. If they inform me that any of these tenants are not following the instructions or if I see because I have cameras, if I see that they're not following, I will immediately report it not just to Airbnb but to the burrow and they will be immediately evicted. So I've already documented that they will be instructed in terms of parking also if a family or multiple families are traveling to the prop are traveling the property a new tourist etc. One of my one of my first questions is are going to be how many vehicles are you bringing with you? Someone have a limit on people

and then there is a I believe there is a limit on people but it it goes the limit if I can remember the limit is how many people the property can accommodate and then and then we get into a load with the fire department etc. But we're not there yet but that's how the occupancy goes. Um my my I'm my my property as it stands right now can sleep 10 to I'm limiting it to eight. So two adults six kids if we want to look at it that way. Um but in term again in terms of parking because there already is uh problems with parking my tenants and no one to do with my property is going to cause any more problems or stress as it is. That's how I live there. I live on that I live on that block in that property with the mentality of not impeding encroaching onto anyone else's property or disrupting anyone else's. Like I came into the neighborhood with other property owners that had been living in this community at least 15 years before I moved into the neighborhood. So when I moved in, I had to adjust, adapt to the way of living in Colombia. And not only just in Colombia, but on Chestnut Street, 500.

I had to do that. Mr. Williams, how many bedrooms does your property have? [clears throat and cough] Excuse me. Three. There's a fourth and then but it's a fourth. There's a fourth bedroom, but a fourth of it is taken up by an elevator. I thought an elevator. It did. It does, which will not be a a sleeping area and is not. It's not set up as a sleeping area. In fact, I just turned it into uh my office. My office used to be on the first floor. I moved my office to the second floor and it's in that room, which makes sense.

Okay. Does anyone here have any questions of Mr. Williams at this point? Basically, I would say without putting words into your mouth, Wayne, you're looking to have people come into your home in Colombia for the most part from outside of Colombia to [snorts] visit Colombia, enjoy Colombia, do whatever there is to see in Colombia. or local York area. You've already mentioned that you're not looking or you're actually putting your foot down that there's not going to be parties allowed.

No, we're not going to be having uh 50th anniversary tents up in the back and and all kinds of music because this is what we deal with. You're learning the rules and the regulations. We're already hearing from not from you because you don't have it yet, but from other places that have whether it be in Colombia or outside of Colombia. Sure. Where tents are thrown up and and music is is loud and sure the police are called and Sure.

I'm sure this is why Dave's here. So, you've already stated, and I'm not putting any words in your mouth, that there will be no tents be being put up in the backyard for parties, and we're not having bands coming in. And this this is a home for people to come in from out of town to settle in for three days, you said, right? Yeah. I do a three a three-day minimum. So, someone could rent it, someone could occupy it for three to seven days. I mean, I don't want to get into 14 and 15 days, but

I'd probably max it at seven days just to just to to give myself a chance to because we got to change we got to change we got to change this place over. either I'm gonna move back in after a tenant leaves or we'll have a gap in time where another tenant will come in, but we need the time to communicate with the burrow, clean the place up, etc. And uh I mean, yes. and and with your health situation, if you're granted this in that time frame in which it has to be photos are taken for Airbnb and it's cleaned up, you have someone already slated to do that.

I don't have someone right now currently. However, as time progress, I I have I've interviewed three different management companies at which point I intend to hire them when necessary, right?

Because the other side is is I had to pay them a significant amount of money to do what we can do now. Like I have housekeepers that come by weekly now to clean already for myself. So that's what a management company would do and then they would coordinate repairs if necessary or any emergency incidents while someone's occupied. Well, if I'm if if if I can at least pick up the phone and communicate, I don't need a management company for that. But when it when the time comes, I've already done my due diligence in terms of which management company I could pick and I've got more than one option. So if one's not available or closed, went out of business, whatever. I'm not rambling looking for another management company. These are reputable management Airbnbs, which I prefer because again laws ordinances so that make sure that we're compliant [clears throat] with both Airbnb and Columbia.

Any other questions, comments? Okay. Dave, you'd like to make some comments. [snorts] I think all of you have a a copy of my Yes, we do. concerns. I want to let you know that Wayne is a friend. I've been in in my property for 27 years. He's been in his for seven. You made a point of introducing us. Pardon me. You made a point of introducing us one day when I walked up the sidewalk. [laughter] He's a good friend.

He's a good friend, a good neighbor. Um he's respectful, mature individual, and I'm so heartbroken that he's got these physical problems that he can't work or he can't work like he used to work. And uh I really am sorry that I have to be looking at the long term of this his property and my property. I'm going to have to live with whatever happens over there. U so because you're going to vote to recommend to the uh zoning

zoning board tonight, I'm going to read this to you if you allow me about five or six minutes. Is there any questions before I get going? Okay. Uh, the reasons that I am not in favor of this is because, well, I it'll it'll I'll probably say this in there, but every every project goes in with real good intentions and at some point things go south and it's no no fault of Wayne's, no fault of anybody, but I don't want to see that because I'm going to have to live with it. Uh here residential zoning districts are intended to long-term occupancy, quiet enjoyment of property and neighborhood continuity. Short-term rentals function as transangent lodging which is a commercial and is not consistent with the intent or spirit of residential zoning classifications. Sounds like a lawyer wrote that the proposed use is not customary, incidental, or subordinate to residential living. A dwelling used for short-term occupancy by unrelated rotating guests constituted constitutes a change in use from lodging, introducing impacts that zoning regulations are designed to prevent. Short-term rentals are associated with increased noise outside of normal residential patterns. I [snorts] can't I can't have this thing and and read this at the same because it's too far away. [laughter]

A dwelling used Okay. Loss of privacy.

Loss of privacy due to frequent turnover of occupants. Parking congestion and traffic inconsistent with single family use reduced neighborhood safety due to lack of long-term accountability. These impacts directly affect a joint impaired neighborhood neighboring residents ability to enjoy their homes. Approval of this application would establish a precedent for similar requests leading to a cumulative erosion of residential character. Zoning decisions must consider not only the individual request, but the long-term consequences for the neighborhood as a whole. Compliance relies on compliant-driven enforcement after disturbances occur. This reactive approach does not adequately mitigate on nearby residents and place it places an unreasonable burden on neighbors. So for these reasons, I respectfully request that the planning commission deny approval for this proposal short-term rental to preserve the residential integrity, safety, and quality quality of life of the neighborhood.

And again, we're just um either suggesting that we're in favor of it or against it or not taking any action. It's really up to zoning. Sometimes we don't make a recommendation, right? Yeah, sometimes we don't. Sometimes we don't though. Either way, we let it completely up to them. Okay. Well, I just want to go on record that you have every right to do that, Dave. Absolutely. I want a residential [snorts] community. I don't want uh an Airbnb or I don't even want a full-time rental. I know. Next to me. Right. It sounds like they're way past their three strikes for that property. Yeah. So, that's unfortunate.

[clears throat] Mr. D and I work together. I mean I mean I' I've damaged his sidewalk and said, "Hey, I apologize and I'll fix it." And Mr. D fix wanted to do it himself, right? Dave wants to do things his way. Yes. Yes. And that's [laughter] one of the thing that we have we share in common because we are

I I tend to I tend to consider myself a younger version of right not not as good right I'm still learning but I do but I do respect your concern and for that I would like to say in front of everyone should it actually should this actually get approved. I do in fact intend on following the the burrow's ordinances to the team. I think at least you you can you can attest to that. We have shared the ordinance and regulations

and and I make and I and and and not only here but with my other properties outside of Columbia I you have to follow guidance but guidelines and ordinance aside whatever you want if this goes through you know you know you can always come to me and say hey I prefer this and I prefer that etc and I will accommodate you and because you guys really mean more than me or you know that and and and finances and I just want everyone to know that because

again we have a lot of respect for each other and I don't want to lose that respect and I don't want to lose our friendship. The only concern though is that should you leave and it's grandfathered in, we can't count on the next person owner having that same respect and regard as you obviously do. So, can the burrow make that only for me? Once it's passed, say the zoning hearing board could condition they can condition that only for him. Okay. Because I because I would I would love that. I'm glad to hear that. See, I mean

that that would be my that's that's one of my concerns, but I would feel better if it was conditional that it's only for you. No, I would love that. Can that be conditional?

I'm not 100% sure. Um, being new to this position. Um, but my assumption would be that they they do make approvals with conditions. Um, I've read indecisions. Um, it could be like a time limit like we'll only allow this for x amount of years. Um, could be a way that they do it, but I would definitely have to do more research to Paula and see what has been done in the past to really 100% comment on that. But that's my my first thought would be I I have seen decisions where they have been based on conditional approval. That being said, um condition would be important, but if this would go through, then everybody in the burrow is going to come in here for a variant Airbnb on a detached with off street parking. And there's more in the burrow that is not in the medium density. So this would open another door that other people think that they can have Airbnb going through the whole town and that's not what we want, [snorts]

right? But zoning is is case by case. So people can't come in and say, "Oh, you did that on Chestnet and now I want it." Um they're they're they're case by case and I can I can get [clears throat] both of your

points and concerns. You have positions. No, I I I really please pay attention because I really for what I mean we've talked about it. I I had no selling my property a couple years ago. I was in a relationship and there's always been a concern from for me even me I put my blood, sweat, and tears in that place to build it too. You know that to to get it to accommodate myself and my family. It is my dream home, right? I don't want to sell my house. I didn't want to sell and we've had this conversation. I don't want to sell my house to someone that's just going to not respect it because [snorts] I bought it from someone that did. [clears throat] And so and and because of that, I had to do like a lot of work to that place just to get it to where it is now. And it's still I mean it's a 100 plus year old home. So you had you you constantly have maintenance. But the lack of maintenance when I purchased the home, I mean, I literally had to go through the entire property,

interior and exterior. And there's still a lot of things that need to be done. Okay. But I am very very because of the type of neighbors that I have. I didn't expect to have the neighbors that I have and and okay upon having those neighbors these are these are things future you know who gets the property etc like just so you guys know I have a will I need to say to you Mr. Williams can can we do you have anything to add you'll you'll want to for the hearing you'll want to I think kind of have it concise

yeah like how You know, regardless, I I'll say personally, I don't feel strong enough either way. I see it both ways. I see it probably see it more like you have a very personal story behind this that, you know, if it was somebody who didn't live there, didn't have a vested interest in how the property that you put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears in,

you know, I think that makes the story different. You know, we kind of talked about that with that. I felt more comfortable recommending in favor for a variance, a use variance because they were going to live in the same place and that sort of thing. I think you kind of are as trying to be as close to that as you possibly can without actually living there while the guests are there, too. So, you're really trying to pull off something, you know, a lot of logistics and then you're trying to work with the burrow to have this and you're trying to keep great relationships with your neighbors. So, you have a lot of balls in the air and that's because life has kind of pushed you to that point.

So, I don't feel really I don't feel good about a recommendation either way because I I understand why there's certain places for it and I'm also would be somewhat hypocritical. We we've debated when we're required to give a recommendation to burough council on where if anywhere to expand Airbnbs in the burrow,

there were a lot of different opinions and it wasn't like clearly black and white because I've stayed in them enough to where, you know, we, you know, we were guests and I would like to think we were good guests, but and then we still deal with there's been neighbors that have lived, you few doors down for months or years and I thought it would have been great if they were just here for a three night stay. So it's the [laughter] same, you know, there's a lot of things where it's like if it works there's no big deal, right? But when it doesn't it's bad, whether it's short-term, long-term, or whatever, you know. So I think the only, you know, I say like maybe the advice I'd give is

is that you're you're trying to limit the negative impacts. you're trying to pull off something while pulling while trying to protect negative impacts to your property as well as your neighbors. And I think that's just really what you need to try to crystallize into here's how I would manage this. Here's what I'm trying to do. I'm trying to pull off something very tricky. Here's how I'm going to make this work to try to keep,

you know, my neighbors happy and yourself happy. I think that's could give in what you're going to present to the zoning hearing board because they're going to look at this like, okay, where's the hardship? I think there's obviously a life type of hardship, but in terms of use of the property. Um, so that's really the way that you have to look at this. And you also have to understand that once it's, you know, once it's posted, it may have already been, you know, obviously any of the direct neighbors can become party to the case and can, you know, oppose it, can can do whatever.

Um, you know, so I think it just makes it really difficult. But the more like you kind of have your ducks in a row. and maybe even looking at something to where you're trying to limit this to this period in life and while you own it or something might help the case not just in front of the zoning hearing board but with your neighbors too. Any further comments?

That was very well said. And in regards to the parking, Wayne indicated that he has two parking spaces in front of his garages, and he does, but there's no way for someone on that property from spaces up into their yard into the house, right? You have to go through the garage, my walkway, and it's fine. I'm glad he can use, but I don't want two extra strangers and four kids coming up to them a couple times a day. It's completely understandable.

And there's no He doesn't have a walk from the garage up to the house. And so they're likely to want to use mine. They're not going to be allowed to use it unless they are on a good term for three days. [laughter] No, to your point. [snorts] Well, I was thinking this.

Okay. We know what Maryland would vote for, right? Which is, you know, I mean, you bring an important perspective, especially from real estate and whatnot, but I kind of I'm not going to make a motion. I don't. So, do we want to make a recommendation [snorts] to zoning or let this go with no recommendation? Those in favor of no recommendation signified by saying I. I. I. I agree with Justin what you said and recommended and how you present it.

Okay. Yeah. I think this is a very very case sensitive unique to where I think the zoning hearing the zoning hearing board's going to take all of the Yeah, they're going to do it. Yeah. Y and are you going to ask for conditions because I would I would definitely ask for conditions. So if you don't mind looking into that and seeing no recommendation. I appreciate that. No recommendation and I'm I'm really sorry about your diagnosis. There you go. Great care.

Okay, moving on on the agenda. We have no engineers reviews, no no demolition applications. Do we have any public comment or questions? Any other public comment or questions? [cough] Frank [clears throat] has something to say. Yes. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas Day. Take good care. [snorts] Great to see you. Sorry, friend. Nice to meet you. It's great to meet you, too. All right. Okay.

Okay. Thank you, Frank. Thank you for coming. We have no action items. Um, thank you, Wayne. under discussion items here. Okay. Are we good with picking up packets at the burough hall? Yes. If they are too large to be sent. Yes. I know we discussed electronically. And I said I told Alisa I said I want this on the agenda that we [clears throat] kind of discussed this on the side right last month. And I said, I want everyone here that we can go on record how we want to handle packets going forward. So

you might have to remind us the first time or pick it up. Yeah. If you put out an email. Yeah. Right. Right. Anytime when I post the agenda, I will send an email saying agenda. I'm going your packets will be ready to deliver or to pick up. Okay. And if we don't pick them up, then they'll be here. Like if you say, "Oh, it's a small agenda. I'll just look at on the computer." They'll be here. So, we're picking them all up. Not Not if they're large or small. They're all going to be here for pickup. You're not going to deliver any.

I will not deliver. What we That's up for you guys to decide. I can either deliver them or we can have them picked up at the office regardless of the size. I think last When we discussed it after the meeting, it was discussed that we would have we would pick up have them readily available to pick up at the office. Um, however, if it were a small packet, they would just be given day of at the meeting. Very good. And you would let us know that and I would Okay.

Okay. I mean, would this have been considered a pickup? So, this probably this would have been picked up. You would have been able to pick up because of the pictures. Okay. Okay. And I don't mind picking up because I'm downtown and then I come in to drop off a time sheet anyway. So, and I will still send because I currently send a digital copy of the packets via email. I will still send a digital copy. This is just for if you would like a physical copy of that evening's packet. They will be readily available to pick up at the office the Friday before the meeting. Okay. I think it's fine.

That's great. Honestly, I would rather pick it up because before you and not recently, but in the past, you're too young. But there [laughter] you wouldn't remember. Well, the rest of us will remember the paper boys that from their from their bicycle they just went like that and it hit the door and it and it went down and it seemed as if that was the situation and our packets if it was pouring out and driving they're soaked.

I or we would step in between the doors which was great and that big binder was delivered. I didn't know it was outside. I almost felt that next door neighbor and then fell because I didn't know it was there. We're all talking now. We have We have And we're still live, right? Yeah. Yeah, we're still live. Story time is live. So, okay. I I appreciate picking them up. Yeah, I don't pick them up. We step out and we're stepping on them.

Okay. We have no old business, new business. What I will confirm is at last week's council meeting there was discussion regarding the appointments and reappointments and they will be done at next week's council meeting and it will be

Deb's reappoint. Yes, it will be Deb's reappoint, your reappoint. [snorts] Barb Fischer will be appointed to fill Nathan's term. And with Marilyn, what was suggested is administratively she will resign and be reappointed for that change in end of term. The 26. The 26. Yeah. I was able because they questioned me. Okay. if we do this then and I was able to go down and tell them who would be

having terms expire when. So they were comfortable with that but they felt the cleanest thing with with Maryland would be to do a resignation and then an appointment to that come back 26. Yeah. Okay. So that's where we stand with that. Um, next meeting will be January 20th, 2025. At that time, we will be doing election of officers for the year. And I would wish you all a merry Christmas, a happy new year. And I don't know if I'm going to be here December 31st or any. [laughter] Do I have a

Yes, we didn't adjourn yet. It was just brought uh and I think these people come through planning that wanted to put a laundromat in the alley at the Stover building. Yes. Uh my understanding of what I was told it was it was passed everything was good to go and now that was analled and I'm trying to find out where this is going right now. It was what?

It was a no. There was there were some issues that come up since that was a one of them was the vents the vents in the building. Okay. The other thing uh the owner of the Hankles the developer he's complaining they're going to take his parking. That's two of the issues that I heard. Now I don't know how true this is. I haven't gone to a meeting but this was just told to me. I'm just curious where it's at. Now, the people that had this, okay, they have to bring their architect back and they have to go through the process again. So, I I don't think they have to come here, but I thought maybe you might know where it's at. What's going on?

I have no idea, Frank. Okay. No idea. I just saw that. Okay. Thank you. Interesting. Oh, like the people would park in parking lot to go there. Gotcha. Okay. Entertain a motion to adjurnn. So moved. Okay. I have Dustin and Tiff. All in favor? I. We are adjourned at 8. Merry Christmas. Take good