Bartelen's Change.org petition has over 100 signatures already.
In June 2023, the Municipality of Bluewater passed a comprehensive bylaw aimed at regulating short-term rentals (STRs) within its jurisdiction. This bylaw introduced various rules and requirements, including a licensing system with a fee of $750, occupancy limits, site plan checks, and a strict code of conduct for STR property owners. The intent behind these regulations was to strike a balance between accommodating tourists and maintaining the character of local neighborhoods.
However, one local STR owner, Tyler Bartelen, who also works as a realtor in the London and Grand Bend area, has raised significant concerns about the bylaw, particularly its implementation of “location limits.” These limits restrict property owners from obtaining an STR license if their property directly abuts a neighbor’s or if 15% of properties on the same street already have STR licenses.
To contest these limitations, Bartelen has started a petition for property owners and businesses to sign, hoping that his concern is shared by other people.
Bartelen strongly believes that these restrictions are unjust and grossly unfair, especially when compared to neighboring municipalities like Lambton Shores that have the comparable expectations for property standards, but impose no such restriction.
According to Bartelen, the limit could lead to decreased property values in Bluewater and deter potential investors.
This shift in investor confidence has made properties in Bluewater less attractive, potentially reducing property values and limiting the pool of buyers.
While Bartelen acknowledges the need for regulation in the STR industry, he is primarily concerned about the fairness of these location limits. He emphasizes that STR owners have been unfairly demonized for property value inflation, which is a broader issue not solely attributed to STRs.
Beyond the petition, Bartelen aims to engage the community and raise awareness about the implications of the location limits. He has reached out to businesses and is actively sharing information on social media platforms. He also plans to present the petition to council.
The ultimate goal of the petition is to have the bylaw amended to remove the location limits. Bartelen firmly believes that, in a community that thrives on tourism, pushing tourism away is short-sighted and detrimental to the local economy. He hopes that the municipality will reconsider these restrictions and adopt a more balanced approach to STR regulation.
Written by: B. Shakyaver
