Sunday, September 24, 2023

Florence Short Term Rentals Cause Commotion at Council Meeting

 



Bed & Breakfast establishments have been around for years...and years. An older term is tourist home. Some are using Airbnb; however, this trademarked name is specific to one company. We're sure the list could go on, but whatever you want to call these short-term rentals, you can't deny how controversial they are.

They became legal in Florence between seven and nine years ago, depending on whom you want to believe. Now the city is attempting to pass new regulations for the rentals, and several communities are up in arms over the small businesses, particularly it seems in Forrest Hills.

A Florence city councilman tells us this:

The city said ok to these many years ago when they started issuing permits for them, but people are thinking that we are doing this and we are not. We are doing what the building department and planning department asked us to do and that's approval of an amendment to the city code that defines them. Should’ve been done years ago when they were first allowed but here we are and this council is considered the bad guys. By doing what the departments are asking it gives teeth to the regulations we just passed regarding short term rentals and protects our neighborhoods from any bad players. I wish the public understood we are only trying to keep their neighborhoods safe. Again these were ok’d years ago, we are not voting to do that.


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Take a Gander at This Trio!!!


3 comments:

  1. Well, the motion on September 19th was TABLED! This is a pattern. Move it on down the line and people will get confused and tired and lose interest. At this point a list of "tabled" ordinances that were ultimately passed would be appropriate, but I am as lazy as the next Florence taxpayer! Let's just say this "method" applies to EVERY agenda item that ultimately passed when voted on the 2nd time. The fix is in on this item. The "council" knew this and served up two to be the "heroes" who voted against immediate approval. This time it was Griffin and Kaytrina Simmons. Those who don't want a mini Marriot across the street from their house, need to run this advertisement again, only this time change the date to 10-02-23. OR, is that too much trouble? The "council" is counting on it!

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  2. In case it doesn't work out for everyone, then vote for the next group of Democrats. They might be able to figure it out. They've done some wonderful things for cities like Chicago, New York, and there's a lot more.

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    1. During the last municipal election, we pointed out that Handy Dandy Andy is a Democrat. We suggested that this might make it much more difficult for him to interact with other Alabama mayors.

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