Lorain Council hears support for short-term rentals

LORAIN — Proponents of Airbnbs in Lorain expressed support for the short-term rentals during Monday's Council meeting. Two Airbnb owners came to City Council to highlight how they run their rentals — noting they've invested in their properties and had few problems over the months they've operated. Doug George, of Lorain, owns a home in the 3400 block of Coopers Trail and has been using it as a short-term rental property since October, he said, going so far as to ask the Building, Housing and Planning Department before listing it if there was anything he needed to do zoning-wise, which there wasn't, he said. Of the tenants he's had, they've all been nothing but respectful, and the only problem he had was when a patio door was left unlocked and kids from the neighborhood came in and "destroyed" the home, he said. Between purchasing and renovating the property he said he's spent more than $250,000, noting if owners don't keep the homes up properly, no one will rent them. "If you look at the three houses to the west, my house is a diamond," he said. Rob Franta, of Amherst, agreed. He also runs an Airbnb in Lorain, he said, and has never had any problems. He said he'd be OK with paying additional taxes to have the rental but cautioned disallowing Airbnbs could take away from other businesses in the city. He admitted there may be some bad eggs, but other laws can be applied to fix them. Mayor Jack Bradley said the Ohio House will soon consider House Bill 563, which would limit regulations cities could place on short-term rentals, and it is expected to pass on party lines — taking away home rule on the issue. If that happens, he said the only thing cities can do is deal with those that become a nuisance. Beth Henley, D-1st Ward, questioned how the businesses are able to operate in residential zoning areas, but Bradley said there's not been a determination in Ohio as to whether or not they're businesses. He said it will be a balancing act between short-term rental operators and neighbors, with the city left to be fair to both groups. At an April 25 Council Building and Lands Committee meeting, residents against short-term rentals came out in force — and at the time Council discussed plans to require homeowners to seek a variance to operate. Since then, Rey Carrion, D-6th Ward, said Council has heard both sides of the issue — noting he and his family look to use short-term rentals when they travel out of state. He said he has an open mind, but there are processes the city has to go through. Mitchell Fallis, D-at large, agreed. He said when problems arise, the city must impose rules on the "bad actors," and in the case of short-term rentals, the city must make it appealing for someone to have a business while still having consequences if there are problems. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.