East Bethel approves short-term rental regulations with lake restrictions
The East Bethel Planning Commission unanimously approved a new ordinance to regulate short-term rentals like Airbnbs and VRBOs on July 30, responding to widespread resident complaints about noise, parties, and neighborhood disruption. The measure now heads to the City Council for final consideration.
Residents packed the meeting to voice concerns about short-term rentals concentrated in lakefront areas, particularly along Tri Oak Circle and near Lake Beach. Speakers described problems ranging from late-night parties and excessive trash to parking congestion and dock space conflicts. Many argued that short-term rentals fundamentally threaten the residential character of their neighborhoods.
The Planning Commission's proposed ordinance creates a two-tier system. Owner-occupied properties would receive administrative licenses, while larger, non-homesteaded, or frequently-rented properties would require Interim Use Permits (IUPs)—a more rigorous approval process. Critically, all short-term rentals within the Shoreland Overlay District, which includes lake areas, would need IUPs regardless of size. The ordinance also requires parking maps and a $1,000 compliance escrow deposit. One amendment requiring the escrow received an opposed vote, but the final comprehensive motion passed unanimously.
Board members debated enforcement practicality and whether the regulations struck the right balance between property owner rights and community protection. Commissioner Eric Johnson advocated for simplicity, suggesting that anything within lake zoning automatically require an IUP. Commissioner Gerald urged swift action, noting that delays only prolong existing problems and that the ordinance could be revised later if needed.
In a separate matter, the Planning Commission unanimously tabled a request from Soda Storage to expand its self-storage facility at 20563 Aberdine Street. The company seeks to add three new buildings and resolve compliance issues, including removing barb wire fencing and upgrading lighting. The board postponed the decision to allow staff and the property owner to collaborate on a revised, phased development plan that addresses both the expansion and existing non-compliance issues. The facility has operated as a legal non-conforming use since its original 2020 approval.
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Votes (2)
Public Hearing: Short-Term Rentals Ordinance
Dissent: While the $1,000 escrow amendment received an 'opposed' vote (speaker not specified), the final comprehensive motion to recommend the resolution with all amendments passed unanimously.
Moved by Christina [1:06:55] · Seconded by Unknown [1:09:44]
The Planning Commission considered a new ordinance to regulate short-term rentals (STRs). Public speakers overwhelmingly expressed concerns about noise, parties, trash, parking, and preserving residential character, particularly in lakefront areas. Many advocated for stronger enforcement mechanisms and stricter regulations. The proposed hybrid model included administrative licenses for smaller, owner-occupied STRs and Interim Use Permits (IUPs) for larger, non-homesteaded, or high-frequency rentals. Board members debated the effectiveness of enforcement, the definition of homesteading, and the intensity of STR use, ultimately recommending several amendments to bolster community protection.
Public Hearing: Soda Storage Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan Review
Dissent: None. The motion to table was made to allow staff and owners to work together on a revised, phased plan for the project, lighting, and fencing.
Moved by Unknown [1:46:17] · Seconded by Unknown [1:46:58]
The Planning Commission heard an application from Soda Storage for a CUP to expand their existing self-storage facility, including three new buildings. The primary objective for the city was to address the facility's legal non-conforming status and bring it into compliance with current ordinances, particularly regarding barb wire fencing and non-compliant lighting. The applicant argued that the initial site plan was approved in 2020, and they complied with requests at that time, making new demands excessive. They emphasized the need for adequate lighting for security. The discussion highlighted a disconnect between past approvals and current requirements, prompting a need for a revised, phased plan for future construction and compliance.
Notable Quotes (13)
Um, we went over the budget, which is a big heavy thing that we're working on right now. That's a big issue. Um, one of the issues that we are trying to resolve is some of the fees that residents have to pay.
So again, tonight the planning commission is holding a public hearing about the possibility of adopting at the city council considering adopting a ordinance related to short-term rentals.
I would like our neighborhood to remain residential. I don't. So, I don't have a problem if people want to rent out their property to a couple people or whatever, but the people who are renting need to respect our neighborhood.
The first one is that on Lake in specifically or any lake within uh East Bethl, I don't think short-term rental should be allowed at all. There are many cities and lakes that don't allow it because when you live on the lake... it's a different set of circumstances.
I think there should be like a subdivision for Lake or or for the Lakes area. It sounds like maybe IUP's across the board. If you're going to have a short-term rental in the Lakes area, you have to come and you need to get an IUP. Period.
So, I mean, I I I think spending more time on it is, you know, certainly something absolutely you can do um and and probably well worth it. However, try to keep things simple at the end of the day from an enforcement standpoint um is is really what I would encourage any ordinance to be um you know practical and and uh I'm not saying it shouldn't be but let's see um here we have your Lake district map's not populating very well. Um and and so the question might be try to make it simple is anything that's within the Lake zoning would be by interim use permit.
I have a recommendation which is we've covered a lot of important points. We have a general idea of what we want to do with this. If we put it off, the more we put it off, the the longer the problems that exist currently, they're going to continue. So, we could create an ordinance. We could pass it. If it doesn't work, we could revisit it and re work it. At least we'd have something that can more quick more quickly address current situations.
application before you this evening is a request from soda storage... for approval of conditional use permitted site pine review for existing self- storage facility facility located at 20563 Aberdine Street.
The existing storage is therefore historically operated as a lawful legal [clears throat] non-conforming use. Um section 46 subdivision 04 however authorizes city council to consider other uses that it determines to be similar um to it uh permitted within the B2 district through a conditional use permit process.
I think you guys are aware that this was an approved project back in August of 2020. The entire site plan was approved. It was approved with four buildings, not just the one that was built, but it was approved exactly how it was shown with the landscaping and the fencing.
So to remove the barb wire just driving here there's numerous places with barb wire. Typically when a site plan is um approved and there's other phases you don't go back and remodify the site plan phases can be done and this I mean my understanding is it was approved as a site plan and one building was going to be built multiple other ones going to work were going to be built later and there was never a timeline on that either.
I don't understand the lighting like the lighting that that the city wants is going to be less lighting in that area which you know we have breakins we have math addicts trying to live in units. I mean lighting is good for that area. I mean the hockey rink's not really lit up very well actually.
It just seems to me that you know both sides here have kind of come out of the gate with with something attitude and um maybe you don't feel so, but I kind of felt that that you know you're saying that that we were on the builder at least we've complied with everything we can or could or did and Erica is saying you didn't and I just don't feel and we don't want to be adversarial because we want to we want to support business.
Ordinances & Resolutions (15)
City Council's ongoing work, described as a 'big heavy thing'.
The main policy under public hearing for regulation of short-term dwelling rentals.
Specific version of the proposed short-term rentals ordinance presented.
A type of permit proposed for higher-intensity short-term rentals or those in specific districts.
A type of permit proposed for higher-intensity short-term rentals and requested by Soda Storage for its expansion.
A type of license proposed for lower-intensity short-term rentals.
Legislation requiring licensing for commercial operations with swimming pools.
Resolution number referenced for the short-term rental ordinance, outlining penalties for non-compliance.
Draft resolution for the short-term rentals ordinance that the Planning Commission voted to recommend with amendments.
Specific plan for the Soda Storage facility detailing proposed new buildings, pavement, and landscaping.
City Council resolution from 2020 that initially approved the Soda Storage site plan.
Environmental permit required for construction at the Soda Storage site.
Required environmental studies for the Soda Storage project, needing an update.
Required plan for tree and shrub installation at the Soda Storage site.
Plan detailing exterior lighting, required for Soda Storage to ensure compliance.
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Other Topics from This Document
Proposed Short-Term Rentals Ordinance
Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan Review for Soda Storage Expansion
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