The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake wants to take a big-picture look at how its residents really feel about vacation rentals in town.
It’s preparing to compile a report on locals’ opinions of the short-term rental industry, which it plans to start early next year.
That report will lay the groundwork for another council discussion as to how the industry should be regulated in the community, “before the busy summer tourism season begins,” town staff wrote in a briefing to council.
This makes up one of two areas of activity for the town around short-term rentals, which come together into the larger project of keeping an eye on the short-term rental landscape.
The other is what to do to amend the short-term rental bylaw, which the town passed in 2021, establishing a licensing system for these types of rentals, capping the number at 231.
The debate on this is what to do about these licences, such as whether to increase them, keep the same number or take away licensing.
In July, council deferred bylaw amendments to October; staff now want this upcoming report to guide next year’s decisions.
Council discussed the proposal during its last general committee of the whole meeting.
Coun. Wendy Cheropita talked about some areas that still require clarification.
“We’ve already gone through five years of a committee and lots and lots of really very good, detailed engagement with the business community, with residents,” she said.
“This was just having a round table discussion … setting up some clear objectives about density limits, setbacks and the third one is pools … Do we continue to license short-term rentals with pools in residential areas?”
Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa said council has already received substantial information and he was ready to make a decision on amending the short-term rental rules earlier.
Still, he welcomed additional community input.
“I get worried when we look to a narrow group of people for their feedback,” he said. “I like the idea of getting this broad base of information from the rest of the community.”
Coun. Tim Balasiuk also supported the approach.
“I’m glad we’re getting a more fulsome (sic) report,” he said.
Council passed a motion to receive the staff report.
Particular attention will be paid to how cottage rentals and villas are regulated. These properties have drawn criticism for operating in residential neighbourhoods without an on-site owner.
Residents have raised concerns about noise, sometimes appearing as delegates at council meetings to voice their frustrations.
