Bellefonte residents divided on proposed short-term rental ordinance as council gathers feedback
The Bellefonte Borough Council heard from about 20 residents who were both for and against the proposed short-term rental ordinance over the course of an hour during a Nov. 30 public hearing.
The council has been working on a short-term rental ordinance for years, as it’s a relatively new type of zoning — a commercial use of a house — that has not been regulated. The public hearing was held to gather input and feedback on the proposed ordinance.
The council will take written comments through Dec. 19 and hasn’t determined when or if they’ll take any next steps. During the Dec. 5 council meeting, Council President Randy Brachbill said they could potentially hold a special meeting. The next council meeting is set for Dec. 19.
“I don’t think there’s a lot of things that need to be tweaked, but there were some things brought up that I wrote down and would just like to follow up with council on that,” Brachbill said.
The proposed ordinance will not allow any more short-term rentals in R-1 and R-2 residential zoning districts. However, short-term rentals that have already been permitted prior to the enactment of the ordinance can continue, the ordinance states.
Bruce Cifelli, who operates a short-term rental in the borough, said it was upsetting that future short-term rentals wouldn’t be allowed in residential zoning districts.
“While provisions have been made to allow STRs in commercial zones, it is the residential zones that the STR model truly thrives,” Cifelli said. “Our guests often enjoy quiet neighborhoods within a short distance of downtown shopping and amenities. They prefer a private home feeling to share with their entire family that standard B&Bs and hotels cannot offer.”
A few people had concerns about the proposed ordinance negatively impacting or even prohibiting the operations of bed-and-breakfast establishments. But the borough already has a separate B&B ordinance, so the proposed STR ordinance would not affect the B&B’s status or operations, Gina Thompson, HARB, zoning and planning administrator, told the Centre Daily Times.
Some worried that short-term rentals could compromise the safety of their neighborhoods, as neighbors don’t know who will be occupying the house next to them or thought it could bring in an increase of criminals and drug usage. Others argued that could happen regardless of whether it’s a short-term rental, long-term rental or homeowner next door.
Concerns of excessive noise and parking issues were brought up, too. Scott Mauger said he’s not in favor of short-term rentals; he wants to see residential neighborhoods remain as such and suggested those visiting the area stay in a B&B.
“One of the main reasons I’m not in favor of STRs is for the safety of our neighborhoods. Are background checks done with the people that are renting these facilities for whatever length of time? Also, I certainly wouldn’t want the possible noise and parking issues that may arise in my neighborhood either,” he said. “...I’d like to see Bellefonte continue as a residential community. If tourists want to spend time in Bellefonte, for whatever reason, I recommend they use the owner-occupied, many wonderful, bed-and-breakfasts we have in town.”
Julie Rohleder recently moved to Bellefonte but previously operated a B&B in Vermont. She said when short-term rentals are allowed, those properties come off the market as long-term rentals. Those short-term rentals could also interfere with bed-and-breakfast establishments and eat into their income, she said.
Marc McMaster, chair of the Centre County Association of Realtors’ government affairs committee, said he does have a short-term rental in the borough but understands both sides of the issue.
“I know a lot of the complaints and concerns that people have had so far have been for things like noise, trash, parking. You guys already have a noise ordinance. You have a parking ordinance. You have health and safety ordinances. You have rental permit ordinances. So I would urge you to use those things instead of taking away people’s property rights. You’re essentially telling people who can sleep in their house,” McMaster said.
He thinks short-term rentals get a bad reputation and that people think they’re only coming here to party on Penn State football weekends or are downright criminals.
“They’re not criminals. Those people are spending way more money, they’re not coming to rob your house, they’re not chasing your neighbor. They are spending money in our downtown area. They’re coming for the things that make us want to live here. They’re coming for things like mountain biking, fishing … we have someone coming to stay at our house for a cornhole tournament,” he said.
The proposed ordinance states short-term rental properties operating in the R-1 and R-2 residential districts can be rented out for a maximum of 60 nights per year. Stephanie Peters, executive director of the Bellefonte Intervalley Area Chamber of Commerce, said that limit isn’t fair.
“This is some people’s livelihood and you’re trying to stop it. We’re saying we welcome people and now you’re shutting them down and saying ‘You can’t come to our town. You can come during the day, you can give us your money, but we don’t want you to stay here.’ That’s not a very good image to put out there and that’s exactly what you’re doing,” Peters said. She said while there needs to be rules and regulations, she urged the council to reconsider some of the language in the proposed ordinance.
Bellefonte is not alone in this endeavor, as short-term rentals have been a controversial topic for many local governments in recent years. Other Centre County municipalities have also passed ordinances to help regulate short-term rentals.
