By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tyler Waugh
Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove council conditionally approved a business application for a short-term rental at its July 27 public meeting but also noted it added another unit to an increasing inventory.
Deputy Mayor Irene Stack said the application would bring the total number of AirBnB listings in the community to 10 or 11. She said there is no cap, but reminded council that discussing a cap had been in consideration if the number of short-term rentals started to rise.
“It’s just something to keep in mind,” Stack said.
Municipalities across the country are under pressure to limit AirBnBs because they take housing stock off the market in the midst of a national housing crisis.
Councillor Kayla Parsons, who presented the application to council as head of the planning review committee, said the application for 111 Main Road has an intended maximum occupancy of six people and available onsite parking for four vehicles.
“The proposed occupancy seems consistent with available parking,” Stack said, adding that conditional approval was recommended with conditions that the location maintain a minimum of four parking spots with no obstruction of the road or neighbouring properties, and that the business not expand beyond the maximum occupancy of six without additional approval.
The conditional approval passed unanimously.
Council also wrestled with a written request to park a trailer on a vacant lot on Motion Bay Road Extension while the landowner builds a home on the lot. Parsons told council that based on her research of regulations, the request would be considered a ‘development’ that would require an official permit. She added that if an official permit application should come forward as suggested, the rules are somewhat ambiguous, but she believes it is left to council's discretion and believed it appropriate to issue a temporary permit for up to two years.
"This intent appears to be temporary," Parsons said, pointing out the trailer would be for private use, not commercial use.
Council directed staff to communicate with the lot owner - the specific lot address was not provided - and advise that an application is required.
Council also conditionally approved a trio of applications related to 124 Motion Bay Road – one to excavate with the intent to install additional drainage, one to build a fence and deck, and one to level a driveway and install a walkway.
Council also approved, in principle, an application to subdivide 66-70 Old Maddox Cove Road for residential development, with final approval conditional and including a subdivision review.
Two other applications, one to pave a driveway at 12 Long Run Road and one to excavate at Lot 4 Old Maddox Cove Road, also received conditional approval.
