BREEZY POINT — After months of hearings and deliberations, the city of Breezy Point finally has a short-term rental ordinance in place.
This ordinance really regulates the conditions a property must meet to receive a short-term rental license, and then the actions to be taken if a property does not comply with regulations.
Breezy Point City Administrator David Chanski
The Breezy Point City Council approved the ordinance during its Tuesday, July 5, meeting. It will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2023.
“This ordinance really regulates the conditions a property must meet to receive a short-term rental license, and then the actions to be taken if a property does not comply with regulations,” City Administrator David Chanski said.
Prior to voting on the ordinance, the council hosted one more public hearing on the topic during the meeting. Three residents spoke during the hearing, with the consensus being they approved of the ordinance as it was written, but wanted more clarity on where short-term rentals would be allowed within city limits.
We have to go into this knowing that we’re going to have to work out the details … There might be some kinks and bumps along the way that we will have to work with city staff to take care of. Nothing is ever perfect, but I think what we have is a foundation that we can work on moving forward.
Breezy Point Mayor Todd Roggenkamp
The ordinance as written does not address that, but short-term rentals are currently allowed in the commercial, resort commercial and multi-family residential districts.
“I agree with the ordinance as it is written today … but what I am not for is expanding the ‘where,’” board member Michael Moroni said. “That is my stance right now. The ‘how’ is good, and the ‘where’ is good as of now.”
Mayor Todd Roggenkamp reminded the council that even with this approved ordinance, the conversation of short-term rentals in Breezy Point does not end.
“I think what’s really important for all of us to understand, as a council, is that this is going to be new,” Roggenkamp said. “We have to go into this knowing that we’re going to have to work out the details … There might be some kinks and bumps along the way that we will have to work with city staff to take care of. Nothing is ever perfect, but I think what we have is a foundation that we can work on moving forward.”
The council approved the ordinance by a unanimous 5-0 vote.
Short-term rentals has been a topic in Crosslake as well, as that city tries to decide if it should have its own ordinance regulating them. Crow Wing County enacted a short-term rentals ordinance in January 2021, which covers municipalities and offers a 24-hour hotline and an online complaint form. The ordinance requires such properties to be licensed and follow a set of rules.
Pequot Lakes previously had its own short-term rental ordinance, but the council rescinded it in 2021 and opted to use the county ordinance, which is less restrictive than what the city had enacted in late 2018.
Lake Shore, in Cass County, also tackled the issue in late 2018 with an ordinance amendment.
In other action July 5, the Breezy Point City Council:
- Approved a subdivision application and rezoning application to reconfigure three lots to provide golf view lots with access limited to Chicasaw Circle.
- Voted to re-grade the newly established assistant city administrator position from Grade 10 to Grade 13, which gives an increased pay range, and authorized staff to repost the position. This was done after the personnel committee and David Drown Associates, Inc. reviewed the job description.
In June, the Breezy Point Police Department responded to 295 incidents, an increase of 91 from June 2021. Among the incidents were three traffic arrests, four crashes, three thefts and four fires. In Pelican Township, the department responded to 35 incidents, including one fire.
The city is seeking a member for the Planning and Zoning Commission. Those interested are encouraged to contact city hall.
Dan Determan, sports writer/staff writer, may be reached at 218-855-5879 or dan.determan@pineandlakes.com. Follow him on Facebook and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@PEJ_Dan.
