Crowd packs zoning meeting

CELINA - The Mercer County Zoning Commission on Tuesday night moved to again table discussion on whether to restrict or otherwise regulate the practice of turning private residences into short-term rentals in East Jefferson Township.

For more than two hours, supporters of placing restrictions or regulations on short-term rentals engaged in a heated back-and-forth exchange with opponents who decried such proposals as an affront to their property rights. Attendees wishing to speak were sworn-in and their testimony was documented by commissioners. Speakers also fielded questions, sometimes contentious or highly personal, from other attendees.

Most attendees of the late September public hearing said they were opposed to short-term vacation rentals in residential neighborhoods, citing alleged incidents of trespassing on private property, excessive noise and other nuisances caused by transient renters.

However, Tuesday's packed hearing held in the first floor conference room of the Central Services Building in Celina was more evenly split between the two sides.

Residents who rent out their homes on a short-term basis argued they maintain their properties and are willing to step-in to address any issues with transient tenants. They also contended that contrary to what has been said at past public hearings, short-term rental homes increase property values and drive Grand Lake area commerce.

One person insisted that restricting short-term rentals of homes would be an arbitrary move, questioning the difference between tenets who reside in homes for a few days and those that stay on for months.

Some on the other side of the aisle on Tuesday claimed they don't necessarily oppose short-term rental properties but believe they would be better suited in areas other than quiet residential neighborhoods. A few said they would be willing to compromise as long as special conditions were placed on short-term rental properties in residential districts with heavy concentrations of rental units.

One attendee suggested mandating a licensing requirement for short-term rental properties. Such a proposal would fall outside the oversight of the zoning commission, he was told.

At the conclusion of the public hearing, zoning commission president Keith Houts made a motion to table the matter for a third public hearing. The motion was approved and the next hearing is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 19 in the first floor conference room of the Central Service Building in Celina.

The county zoning commission only regulates East Jefferson Township because it is the only township in the county that more than 40 years ago voted to be governed by them. Any recommendation made by zoning commissioners would ultimately be voted on by county commissioners and subject to a voter referendum, explained assistant county prosecutor Andy Hinders.