By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
In Cobourg, there are currently 36 Airbnb, one Vrbo, one Flipkey and three Expedia listings of short-term rental accommodations.
Regulating them is something the town is ready to tackle, following a vote at Monday’s committee-of-the-whole meeting of council.
Following a staff report that included regulations in other jurisdictions, council voted to direct staff to report back to council on a licensing system to regulate these businesses, as well as asking for a zoning bylaw amendment to address STRAs. Staff are also asked to engage community members on the issue through their Engage Cobourg website, as well as through a public meeting that will also provide feedback.
The multi-faceted approach was necessary, Manager of Planning Services Rob Franklin said, because a simple zoning bylaw would not go far enough – “would not give enough tools in the toolbox with which enforcement could happen in a standardized fashion. It could not address the details of the impacts.”
“I want to express my appreciation for a very good report,” Deputy Mayor Suzanne Seguin said.
“I was amazed to see how many short-term rentals there actually are in Cobourg. I think this is long overdue, and I look forward to continuing the conversation on this, and hopefully getting a resolution.
“And I really like the idea of the $500 license fee. It will basically put everyone on notice that this is something we are looking at.”
Councillor Nicole Beatty asked if she understood correctly that existing STRAs would be grandfathered. Municipal Clerk Brent Larmer said they would be considered legal non-conforming uses, but they would have to adhere to the licensing bylaw.
After extensive debate, council also adopted Beatty’s amendment that would include the possibility of an accommodation tax as part of the staff’s analysis.
Larmer explained that Ontario passed the regulation to permit this 4% accommodation tax in 2017, the proceeds to be distributed and spent through an agreement with an eligible tourist agency.
Mayor John Henderson recalled previous meetings with motel and hotel owners, who not only pushed back on the concept but said they would have to pass the cost along to their customers.
Seguin reported a similar reaction from her time on the Eastern Ontario Tourism Advisory Board.
“And the distribution of those funds always caused controversy,” she added.
Councillor Brian Darling also expressed opposition to an accommodation tax. But Councillor Emily Chorley pointed out that it was only being considered as part of the analysis, and that amendment passed as well.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
