On Tuesday evening (May 21), South Huron Council reviewed a comprehensive report on the status of short-term accommodations (STAs) within the municipality. This follow-up, initially requested in June 2023, aimed to assess the extent and impact of STAs, defined as homes, cottages, or apartments rented for less than 30 days.
From report to South Huron Council, May 21st 2024
The true number of STAs in South Huron remains uncertain but is presumed to be lower than in neighboring municipalities like Lambton Shores and Bluewater, which have higher numbers of seasonal properties along high demand lakeshore areas.
Manager of Communications and Strategic Initiatives Scott Currie indicated that any policy in South Huron should probably wait, as the federal government is presently consulting on new regulatory authorities, with further details expected later this year.
Currie emphasized the limited need for a local STA policy given the current low numbers and lack of information about potential upcoming federal programs.
Councillor Marrissa Vaughan highlighted the ongoing development of a substantial subdivision in the lakeside area.
It was agreed that council would prefer to see the housing used as permenant residences for locals, as opposed to investment properties.
Deputy Mayor Jim Dietrich questioned the municipality’s authority to address and enforce STA-related complaints, noting the absence of a specific bylaw.
Clerk Alex Wolfe explained that while existing bylaws cover issues like noise and waste, they do not specifically address STAs.
CAO Rebecca Msuya-Collison further clarified that licensing similar to Lambton Shores and Bluewater would require a comprehensive program, involving different levels of staff and resources. Councillor Ted Oke expressed caution, suggesting that enforcing bylaws for isolated incidents might lead to unnecessary regulation.
Councillor Aaron Neeb proposed that once more information is available from higher government levels, a bylaw could be developed to set out specific requirements without overregulation.
Council will likely revisit the issue once federal policies firm up in the coming months.
Written by: B. Shakyaver