Ellijay City Council Hears Arguments Against Proposed Short Term Rental Ordinance
News August 17, 2021
On August 16, 2021, the Ellijay City Council met to discuss and vote on the approval of several items on the agenda. The hot topic of the evening was the argument against the proposed short-term rental ordinance.
The ordinance if written now would serve as a de facto ban on short-term rentals in R-1 zoning within the city. Several citizens were there to express their opinions on the ordinance. The meeting began at 6:00 p.m. with the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. There was a motion to approve the agenda and the minutes for July were approved as well as the July financial statement.
Ellijay Council listens to a woman at the meeting speaking against the banning of short-term rentals.
The first order of business was staff reports in which an Ellijay officer announced the upcoming seminar being held at the First Baptist Church. The seminar would be for instruction on the handling of missing and abducted children and would be presented by two senior FBI agents specializing in this field. The date for the four-hour seminar would be August 23 at 9 am at the fellowship hall of the church.
Also, Mayor Al Hoyle welcomed the new code enforcement officer Andrew Mathis. Next was the citizen’s input, the mayor instructed the visitors as to the rules for addressing the council. Tom Griffith spoke against the ban of the proposed short-term residential rental agreement. Mr. Griffith argued that most of the historic buildings downtown were not even currently up to code presently.
After Mr. Griffith, several others also spoke to agree against the banning of short-term rentals stating that it could possibly promote deterioration of long-term rentals. It was also expressed as a concern that if the property becomes ultimately abandoned that it may promote the building of large hotels and high-rise buildings.
Pam Odell of Blue Ridge, Executive Director of Short-Term Rental Owners Association, stated her reason for not approving this ordinance. One being she believed it to be in conflict with the state law and also that the real problem was not appropriately being identified.
City Council members at the 8/16/2021 meeting
The first order of business was to discuss the short-term ordinance, however, it was explained that because there was no motion put on the table that it dies due to a lack of a motion on the table. The next order of business was a discussion on the presentation for employee health insurance and was voted on and accepted. Next was the review and action of the library board to replace board member Amy Sanford, who resigned and replace with Reese Sanford, all approved.
Next was the approval of the paving bid for the intersection of Progress Rd. and Maddox Dr. and was unanimously approved Kolvids Paving with the lowest bid. Next was review and action of the appointment of election superintendent to replace former Gary Watkins who stepped down. New superintendent Sandra Sales was agreed upon and voted in. Next on agenda review and action to name change on license for beer, wine, and spirits at the American Legion and all approved. Next was review and action on bank account change for covid money and all approved. The business meeting concluded at 6:30 p.m., and council members went into an executive session concluding the meeting.
After the council moved to the executive session, the group of people at the meeting who opposed the new ordinance for short-term rentals waited outside for the council to return still unsure as to the outcome. It should also be mentioned that due to the increase in the COVID-19 all municipal buildings are requiring masks to be worn and have reinstituted social distancing until further notice.
City Council members are seen here voting on a motion.
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Kemp suspends short-term vacation rentals, parks remain open
News, State & National April 8, 2020
ATLANTA, Ga – After issuing an extended shelter in place, Gov. Brian Kemp finally instituted a ban on short-term vacation rentals to slow the spread of COVID-19. However, the governor stopped short of closing state parks and beaches despite numerous calls from local governments to do so.
“I have also heard the concerns of many hardworking Georgians, including local elected officials, who fear that our state will become a vacation destination. As a result, and in accordance with public health guidance, I have signed an order to suspend short-term vacation rentals across Georgia,” stated Kemp.
The short-term rental ban identifies vacation rentals as residential properties that can be leased for 30 days or less and can be let by a third-party broker. The licensor is a limited liability corporation, corporation, partnership, person, or any other entity; and the licensee is a private person.
It DOES NOT apply to hotels, motels, campgrounds, extended-stay hotels, commercial transactions, and leases that serve as a person’s primary residence.
Additionally, any rental paid in full by 12:00 a.m. on April 9, 2020, may keep their reservation.
The order won’t prevent people from occupying their personal property.
Law enforcement is authorized to enforce the order, but not to evict anyone in a vacation rental.
Beginning at 12:00 a.m. on April 9, the ban will expire on April 30 at 11:59 p.m.
When asked about the closing of the state parks and beaches, Kemp said only 300 people visited the beaches over the weekend and everyone practiced social distancing.
Earlier in the week, 12 North Georgia Commission Chairmen joined together to ask Kemp to close state parks and the Mayor of Tybee Island also issued a statement expressing his dissatisfaction with Kemp’s decision to open state beaches and park.
As of now, all his state parks reports indicated everyone was following CDC guidelines and he sees no reason to close the parks. Kemp did say he would revisit the issue if he discovers park visitors aren’t practicing social distancing.
Kemp also reasoned that when gyms and other exercise facilities close, people will want to go somewhere to receive physical activity.
Long-Term Care Update
Except from Kemp’s speech:
“The Georgia Department of Public Health has determined that COVID-19 is spreading through nursing homes, inpatient hospice, assisted living communities, personal care homes, intermediate care homes, community living arrangements, and community integration homes. We have dramatically increased access to resources to these facilities to mitigate exposure, but we have to do more to protect these Georgians.
“Earlier today, I signed an executive order extending Georgia’s public health state of emergency through May 13, 2020. This measure will allow us to deploy more resources to communities in need, lend support to frontline medical providers, and keep preparing as we brace for potential patient surge in our healthcare facilities. I appreciate Lt. Governor Duncan, Speaker Ralston, and the General Assembly for working with us to ensure resources are available to proactively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This afternoon, I also signed an executive order mandating more aggressive infection control measures at long-term care facilities across Georgia. I’ll outline a few, key requirements. Facilities must adopt infectious disease transfer protocols with nearby hospitals. Visitors and non-essential personnel are strictly prohibited except in compassionate care situations. If feasible, these facilities must provide in-room dining services, and all group activities are canceled. Employees must wash or sanitize their hands after any interaction with a resident. Facilities must implement protocols to screen residents for fever and respiratory symptoms, and employees must be screened before starting a shift. If an employee is exposed, to the extent feasible, he or she must self-quarantine for fourteen days before returning to work. Facilities are required to implement universal and correct use of personal protective equipment, and we stand ready to coordinate delivery of supplies. Facilities must utilize hospital-grade disinfectants for frequent cleaning. If possible, residents with symptoms of respiratory infection need to be placed together, and facilities should have specific employees working only on affected units. To ensure compliance, I am empowering the Department of Public Health, National Guard, and Department of Community Health to issue directives to facilities to prevent, monitor, and treat COVID-19.
“Today, I am also signing an executive order to activate 1,000 additional National Guard members to assist in COVID-19 emergency response.
“In accordance with public health recommendations, I am also extending the statewide shelter in place order through April 30, 2020. All of the provisions of the statewide shelter in place order will remain in effect. I want to thank everyone who followed these directives, and I appreciate your patience.”