A six-month moratorium on short-term rentals has been approved by the South Haven City Council.
At a Monday meeting, members heard from several residents on both sides of the issue. Some said short-term rentals enable them to make ends meet by renting out properties they own. Others said businesses can’t attract employees to live in South Haven because year-round housing has gotten too expensive.
Council member Joe Reeser said it’s a complicated issue.
“There’s not black and white,” Reeser said. “This is a whole lot of gray. I think short-term rentals have done a lot of good for the community, as was outlined tonight. I think the residents have concerns for the community they live in. They have valid concerns.”
But Reeser said the moratorium on new STR licenses for six months will enable the council to come up with a more long-lasting ordinance.
The moratorium only means no new short-term rental licenses will be issued for the next six months. It does not affect those that were approved before the start of this year. The council’s action also canceled this year’s STR lottery.
Voting no on the moratorium was Mayor Annie Brown, who said she was elected to make decisions, and not just approve moratoriums.
