By Marcia Kuszmaul

Homer Independent Press


The city’s Economic Development Advisory Commission (EDC) may soon learn the truth behind the familiar adage – “Be careful what you wish for” – as it began its quest Tuesday to learn what Homer wants to do about short-term rentals.


The new Title 21 Public Review Draft defines a short-term rental as “a transient lodging establishment, located within a residential structure, engaged in providing temporary accommodations for the general public. Stay duration is less than thirty days. These may include, but are not limited to: entire dwellings, rooms within a dwelling, attached and detached accessory dwelling units, and bed and breakfast establishments. Short-term rentals do not include worker housing.” 


STRs are seen as both an economic opportunity and a plague in towns throughout the U.S. Homer is joining Alaska communitiess such as Soldotna, Seward and Sitka debating whether and how to regulate, tax or limit their number.


Over the past few months, EDC Chair Karin Marks has made the case that the EDC is well-positioned to take a focused look at the state of short-term rentals (STRs) in Homer, how they relate to housing availability, seasonal workforce and economic activity.


At Monday’s city council meeting, the EDC got the job with direction from the council to complete 10 separate tasks culminating with a report to council within four to six months. The following day, commissioners got started.


They identified key issues to investigate: 

• Owner-occupied STRs vs. owner-absent STRs:  Community member Kathy Carrsow, an advocate for neighborhood integrity, explained her opposition to absentee-owner STRs in residential districts. “If I don’t have a neighbor, I don’t have a neighborhood,” she said. “I don’t want to have the hospitality industry next door.”

• Title 21 definitions: Confusing inconsistencies in how STRs are defined and missing from the allowable uses by district matrix.

• Title 21 proposed STR regulations: Questions about why a regulatory system is included in a zoning code.

• Enforcement: Recognizing the difficulty of enforcing regulations and focusing on what’s feasible.
  
  
  
  

Kathy Carrow, an advocate for neighborhood integrity, told the EDC that “If I don’t have a neighbor, I don’t have a neighborhood.” Se doesn’t want to live next door to hospitality industry site.

Karen Murdock and Kate Finn also spoke to their concerns about the impact of STRs on available and affordable housing, which will be another area of investigation for the EDC. 


“Residential neighborhoods need to be protected,” Murdock said.


Marks and Community Development Director Julie Engebretsen are working together to develop a schedule for interviews with key stakeholders and areas of investigation.


The next EDC meeting is 6 p.m., May 12, Cowles Council Chambers, Homer City Hall, 491 E. Pioneer Avenue.