TD Councilors to revisit short-term rental regs after neighbors sound off
Neighbors addressed The Dalles City Council during publlic comments regarding concerns they have with short-term rentals at the regular meeting on Monday, May 8.
By Tom Peterson
Neighbors in The Dalles around Sorosis Park aired concerns about noise, traffic, parking and “erosion of our culture” created by short-term rentals at The Dalles City Council meeting on Monday, May 8.
Council, which adopted new ordinances regarding rental homes in residential areas that are let for less than 30 days several years ago, took the information under advisement and promised to revisit the topic with possible changes in the near future.
The meeting held at City Hall drew about 25 audience members, 19 in person, and brought comments from seven different neighbors. Some were concerned The Dalles was going the way of Hood River who logged numerous complaints about short-term rentals until changes were made in their codes.
Specifically, two loud parties were alluded to several times by neighbors of a short-term rental in the 300 block of west 20th Street and another on Scenic Drive.
It was said that golf carts, boats, recreational vehicles and cars congested the neighborhood and a concert was held in a pool house.
One neighbor said it was so loud, they had to go to another room of their house to watch television.
Ultimately, multiple neighbors said their comfort level had diminished as they were seeing “people they did not recognize and cars they did not know.”
In a general wrap-up of complaints, neighbors alleged vandalism to cars, drug use, loud visitors, trespassing, general disrespect, the devaluation of property values, and the loss of housing stock for local residents as outside investors buy homes for short-term rentals. Single women said they felt less safe walking in their neighborhood.
Councilor Darcy Long told the audience that when the Council adopted the short-term ordinance they were unsure of what the ramifications would be, and they expected to revisit the issue and fix it.
It’s “time for Council to review the code,” she told those who spoke during public comments.
“I concur,” added Mayor Rich Mays.
An applause came from the small crowd.
Councilors Tim McGlothlin and Randall Scott also stated they and two other Councilors lived in the nearby neighborhoods and residents could rest assured they would look into the problem.
Neighbors suggested that those who generate revenue from short-term rentals be required by law to live within the residence for several months a year. They contended it would give owners a ground view of how their rental impacts a neighborhood, hopefully increasing empathy and ultimately creating motivation to reign in their visitors who tread on the rights of long-standing residents.
Several other recommended changes to the law were made by Sally Carpenter, which she submitted in writing to the council.
Mayor Mays also pointed out that The Dalles Police Chief Tom Worthy was sitting in the back of the room and would be happy to address law enforcement issues and provide a point of contact.
In addition, City Attorney Jonathan Kara told the audience that code violations should be reported to Code Enforcement Officer Niki Lesich at nlesich@ci.the-dalles.or.us
Click here to read the TD Ordinance on Drinking and Noise.
Waste Water Contract
Click to enlarge
Council unanimously approved a 15-year contract with OMI Wastewater Treatment, formerly known as CH2M Hill. The first-year total Cost of the proposed contract is $1,359,289 and future costs will be tied to the consumer price index as the cost of chemicals and maintenance is increasing.
The same company has operated the wastewater treatment system in The Dalles for the past 30 years, but what is new is the extended length of the contract - 15 years.
In exchange for the commitment, OMI has agreed to fund two studies to create greater efficiencies within the City’s system. First it will put $90,000 toward understanding how to dewater biosolids prior to transport to agricultural fields, with the intent of reducing fuel and maintenance costs for tanker trucks. Currently, more than 90 percent of the biosolids is water.
Second, OMI will fund a study to improve the efficiency of the renewable energy program.
The Dalles Wastewater Treatment Plant is the first plant in Oregon to install a primary filtration facility to divert solids directly for conversion to renewable power. These upgrades tend to lower operating costs, ultimately minimizing resource consumption, according to a story in Wastewater Digest in 2020.
Climate Resiliency Plan Adopted
Councilors unanimously adopted the Climate Resiliency Committee report and asked city staff to review and bring back suggestions on how to implement it in months to come.
The report is part of an effort to mitigate local climate change impacts, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and seize opportunities for community benefits. Read it here starting on page 50.
The Committee has also submitted recommendations to the Wasco County Commissioners who will vote in weeks to come on whether to accept them.
Councilor Dan Richardson who was put in charge of the development of the ad hoc committee said 10 residents spent the last year putting the recommendations together and thanked them for their time and effort.
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