Quinte West residents are taking aim at short-term rentals in their neighbourhoods, demanding action from council to regulate them.
During Wednesday’s council meeting, Quinte West resident Teena Macklin presented a petition to council signed by herself and other residents in her neighbourhood in Carrying Place, demanding that action be taken to ensure the rental properties were in compliance with local by-laws.
Macklin claimed that short-term rental properties in the area are disruptive to local residents, throwing loud parties at late hours, causing excessive traffic with large vehicles and buses navigating the small residential streets, and have begun to create safety hazards in the area.
The petition sparked some debate among councillors, before Councillor David McCue proposed a motion to have municipal staff investigate and create a report on what it would take to properly regulate and enforce regulations on short-term accommodations in the municipality.
“We were dealing with a lot of Airbnb complaints down in our area, not just here,” said Councillor McCue. “I do believe there have to be some rules and regulations put in place.”
The motion passed unanimously.
