Homer economic commission to finalize short-term rental recommendation to City Council

Homer's five-month review of short-term rentals reaches a drafting point Tuesday, when the city's Economic Development Advisory Commission is scheduled to finalize a draft response to the City Council on whether and how the city should regulate rentals of under 30 days.

The agenda lists four substantive pieces: approaches used by other communities, owner-occupancy requirements, a short-term rental registration system, and nonconformity code, the provisions that govern uses already operating when a rule changes. Comments from Commissioners Landa Baily and Christine Zubek feed into the recommendation. The Kachemak Bay Conservation Society is scheduled to present on short-term rentals and housing.

The commission recommends; the council decides. The council adopted Resolution 26-028(A) on April 13, asking for findings and community input, and the city's short-term rental page states the review "is not a proposal to regulate STRs." The city says a findings report goes to council by October.

The meeting is at 6 p.m. in the Cowles Council Chambers, City Hall, 491 E. Pioneer Ave., and on Zoom. Public comment is three minutes, early on agenda items and again at the end.