West Chester Borough Council continues to discuss whether and where to allow short-term rentals in private homes. The public conversation has been ongoing for about a year. Councilwoman Lisa Dorsey said there are already 60 operating short-term rentals in the borough, and she favors allowing short-term rentals, such as Airbnbs, in all neighborhoods. “Since we have them, they need to be controlled,” Dorsey said. “They are not regulated and managed and they’re not supposed to be here, but they are here.” Dorsey said that the borough is a destination, with visitors staying overnight for special events. Councilman Brian McGinnis suggested capping the total number of units at 20 to 25 and requiring safety inspections. Hosts would also need to fill out an application and live within 10 miles of the borough. Property managers would be required to be located within five miles of the borough, according to McGinnis. He also called for a $500,000 liability policy for units and one parking space per bedroom if the unit is located in a residential neighborhood. Several members of council are in favor of not requiring parking spaces in the town center or business district. Councilman Bernie Flynn was opposed to allowing overnight rentals in the neighborhoods. Flynn said that short-term rentals are currently illegal in the borough, and the borough’s Building and Housing Department should investigate and start serving cease-and-desist orders. Resident and former borough council president Anne Carroll noted that all borough rentals require a permit. She suggested that a loss of earned income tax might be realized due to those staying in a home but not working in the borough, and hotel taxes might not be collected.
Source: Daily Local; 4/18/2024