A Special meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Otsego was held on the 29th day of March at the Town Building, Fly Creek, NY at 9:00 AM.

PRESENT:
Tom Breiten Chairman
Leslie Weir Councilman
Nancy Iversen Councilman
Bill Michaels Councilman

ALSO PRESENT:
Pam Deane Town Clerk
Margaret McGown Town Attorney

Chairman Breiten called the meeting to order.

Chairman Breiten explained that this meeting of the Town Board was simply a workshop not a Public Hearing to discuss short-term rentals. The Board was not going to accept comments from the public at this time.

It was the consensus of the Board that some form of regulations for short-term rentals is needed. Both Attorney Lester Sittler of Fly Creek and Dean Heberlig, Jr. of Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC, Attorneys at Law indicated by letters to the Town Board that, in their opinion, the best approach in regulating short-term rentals would be to implement a Town Law. The local law would require anyone who leases property within the Town for a term not exceeding thirty (30) days to obtain a license before assembling (number to be determined) people. The Zoning Officer would review impacts of the assemblage on off street parking, noise, exterior lighting, building capacity, and septic systems before issuing the license. Such a law is allowed under both the NYS Municipal Home Rule Law and the NYS Town Law, which permit a town to preserve the public peace, prevent unreasonably loud or disturbing noises, prevent disorderly or noisy conduct, and establish responsibilities and duties of owner, operators, agents and occupants of dwellings and dwelling units.

After some discussion, it was agreed that establishing a local law for short-term rentals was the best solution.

The Board reviewed and modified a draft compiled by the short-term rental committee.

After much discussion, a second Special Meeting was scheduled for April 5 th at 9:00 AM to further discuss language for a local law addressing short-term rentals.

Councilman Iversen agreed to invite County Code Inspector Neal McManus to the April 5 th workshop to answer questions concerning fire inspections.

Chairman Breiten asked Attorney McGown to be prepared to suggest language needed for parts of the draft, making it clearer and more enforceable.

The Board adjourned at 11:00 AM.

Respectfully Submitted
Pamela Deane/Town Clerk