NNewsews Lake Norman towns wrestle with...
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Page 12 • The Herald Weekly • June 15-21, 2012 www.huntersvilleherald.com As the Lake Norman area grows, more people will look to lakefront communities as a destination for vacation. That is, if regulations don’t prevent it. Some local leaders say allowing more vacation rental properties on the lake could cause problems for neighbors, but property owners say they have a right to determine how they use their land. The issue caused an uproar in Corne- lius earlier this year when the grace period for existing rentals expired. Resident Steve Haimbaugh complained that the town was preventing him from recovering his investment. Single-family homes in Cornelius can be rented on a long-term lease basis or as vacation for up to three weeks a year with- out a permit. Only condos are allowed for short-term rentals with a permit. So when residents in Denver com- plained about the parties and loud music coming from a new vacation house almost every weekend, Lincoln County planners turned to Cornelius’s land use code for guidance. “In the few times they’ve rented this, it has been an absolute nightmare,” Sharon Malmberg told Lincoln County commis- sioners in May. She lives next door to the rental property on Howard Lane. “There was drinking, noisy partying and 20 cars in the street.” Neighbors said they were also worried about safety on the water. They said it could be dangerous if an inexperienced renter tried driving a boat through their narrow cove. “This is kind of a new animal,” Lincoln County Manager George Wood said. “It doesn’t fall under the definition of hotel or bed and breakfast. … So do we outlaw or regulate it?” Wood said there are 14 known vacation rental properties in Lincoln County. The Howard Lane property is the first one that he knows has caused problems. So instead of eliminating vacation rentals, Lincoln County hopes to develop a list of restric- tions for them. “We’re trying to balance everybody’s rights. People have a right to the use of their property,” he said. “A lot of people rent out and have no problems. Do we want to impact those people’s property rights when there’s not a problem?” Lincoln County’s Planning Board is considering an ordinance that treats the problems identified by neighbors without completely eliminating vacation rentals. That ordinance requires permits for va- cation rentals and limits parking to desig- nated areas. With little waterfront property in their jurisdictions, Davidson, Huntersville and Mooresville don’t regulate vacation rent- als. Cornelius Town Manager Anthony Roberts said the town was looking out for those who live next door to a rental prop- erty when they passed the regulation. “We’re not Myrtle Beach. We are a resi- dential community,” Roberts said. “(Peo- ple want) peace and quiet and to build a sense of community.” Banning vacation rentals in single-fami- ly homes in Lincoln County could lead to more problems. After Cornelius decided to limit vacation rentals to condos and apartments, property owners showed up outraged. Haimbaugh and his wife, Lisa, bought a lakefront house in Cornelius in March 2006 to open up to families on vacation. They also added a small cottage and ga- rage to the property. Three years later, Cornelius adopted an ordinance banning vacation rentals in single-family neighborhoods. The Haim- baughs were left with a hefty mortgage on a house they could not rent. They asked the Cornelius Town Board for an extension in January so they could continue operating the rental and recover their losses on the property. Town com- missioners denied the request because the Haimbaughs had a violation of the permit in 2009. Since that violation, Haimbaugh said he has been more selective of his tenants. “I make sure that we rent to families,” he said. “At $5,000 a week, I’ve gotten some really nice, classy people.” So when the town told him to shut down the rental, he decided to fight it. “I thought vacation rentals were proper- ty owners’ rights that were sacred,” Haim- baugh said. He’s taking the case to the state Supe- rior Court, which he thinks will set the precedent for vacation rental regulation. “The thing is, myself aside, the decision could impact Denver, Mooresville and all of the Lake Norman area,” Haimbaugh said. Haimbaugh said he understands his neighbors concerns about renters and re- duced property values, but thinks he has a right to do what he wants on his property. “Both of my neighbors would prefer that we didn’t rent the property,” he said. “I get that, I understand that. I try to do a very thorough job of talking with (the families who rent from me). Occasionally you get someone who doesn’t know any better.” ❑ News News If so, we’d love to hear from you. Send story ideas to news@hunters- villeherald.com and include your name, the idea with a few details, and an e-mail address or phone number. If it’s a story we can use, we’ll contact you. If so Sen vill na an n w CORNELIUS – Michael Cherry said this week he intends to sue the Cornelius Police Department, and all of the investiga- tors who worked on his case, claiming he was wrongly impris- oned for 27 months on bad evidence and faulty police work. Cherry, 40, was released from jail last month after the Meck- lenburg County District Attorney dropped several charges against him, including rape, kidnapping, robbery with a dan- gerous weapon and burglary, saying the evidence collected by CORNELIUS – Homeowners fighting their property’s tax re- valuation are again searching for answers after county commis- sioners were told last week there was nothing they could do to stop the appeals process. Cornelius commissioners requested in a letter two weeks ago the appeals process be put on hold in order to help property own- ers have time to help them understand the process better. Man freed of charges plans to sue police Tax revaluation appeals will continue Michael Cherry: “I wanted my trial” Here’s what homeowners need to know about the process The North Mecklenburg basketball team celebrates after winning the 2005 Class 4A state title. That team was led by Jamie Skeen, a 6-foot- 9 standout forward who would later lead the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams to a 2011 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four. Skeen made the Herald Weekly’s list of the area’s best players over the past decade. See who else made our list on page. 3. Herald file photo ..........6 ........16 .........17 .........21 d ........24 ..........25 ..........27 ...........32 hools’ hip e 27 al g Luxury As It Should Be Higher Standards Standard SVILLE ROAD • HUN 04-659-7010 • WWW.RANDYMARIONGMC.COM Just Arrived! *Price is plus tax, tag, $599.00 admin fee, $660.00 Touch of Class and includes GM Owner Loyalty. by [email protected] by [email protected] (See on page 16) (See on page 12) Who are Lake Norman’s top athletes? YOU . . . . . . . . o ip g C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B R R R R R R R R R R R R R R A A A A A A A A A A A A A R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R T T T T T T T T T T T T T A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I N N N N N N N N N N N N N G G G G G G G G G G G G G 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E R R R R R R R R R R R R R R S S S S S S S S S S S S S S R R R R R R R R R R SERVING HUNTERSVILLE, CORNELIUS AND DAVIDSON 20035 Jetton Rd (704) 895-9844 ✴ ✴ ✴ www.signaturestylehairstudio.com Lake Norman towns wrestle with vacation rentals by Courtney Price [email protected] Cornelius’ vacation rental regulations The ordinance that regulates Cornelius vacation rental properties includes: • Property owners must obtain a per- mit to operate a vacation rental. • The residence cannot house more than one tenancy in a seven-day period. • Rental homes cannot be used for spe- cial events. • Vehicles must be parked in a designat- ed parking area. No more than two cars per bedroom are allowed at all times. • No more than three people per bed- room are allowed on the property at one time. • Property owners must designate a local contact person who can respond to concerns and complaints. • Owners or operators must make ef- forts to minimize outside noise after 10 p.m.
Transcript of NNewsews Lake Norman towns wrestle with...
Page 12 • The Herald Weekly • June 15-21, 2012 www.huntersvilleherald.com
As the Lake Norman area grows, more people will look to lakefront communities as a destination for vacation. That is, if regulations don’t prevent it.
Some local leaders say allowing more vacation rental properties on the lake could cause problems for neighbors, but property owners say they have a right to determine how they use their land.
The issue caused an uproar in Corne-lius earlier this year when the grace period for existing rentals expired. Resident Steve Haimbaugh complained that the town was preventing him from recovering his investment.
Single-family homes in Cornelius can be rented on a long-term lease basis or as vacation for up to three weeks a year with-out a permit. Only condos are allowed for short-term rentals with a permit.
So when residents in Denver com-plained about the parties and loud music coming from a new vacation house almost every weekend, Lincoln County planners turned to Cornelius’s land use code for guidance.
“In the few times they’ve rented this, it has been an absolute nightmare,” Sharon Malmberg told Lincoln County commis-sioners in May. She lives next door to the rental property on Howard Lane. “There was drinking, noisy partying and 20 cars in the street.”
Neighbors said they were also worried about safety on the water. They said it could be dangerous if an inexperienced renter tried driving a boat through their narrow cove.
“This is kind of a new animal,” Lincoln County Manager George Wood said. “It doesn’t fall under the defi nition of hotel or bed and breakfast. … So do we outlaw or regulate it?”
Wood said there are 14 known vacation rental properties in Lincoln County. The Howard Lane property is the fi rst one that he knows has caused problems. So instead of eliminating vacation rentals, Lincoln County hopes to develop a list of restric-tions for them.
“We’re trying to balance everybody’s rights. People have a right to the use of their property,” he said. “A lot of people rent out and have no problems. Do we want to impact those people’s property rights when there’s not a problem?”
Lincoln County’s Planning Board is considering an ordinance that treats the problems identifi ed by neighbors without completely eliminating vacation rentals.
That ordinance requires permits for va-cation rentals and limits parking to desig-nated areas.
With little waterfront property in their jurisdictions, Davidson, Huntersville and Mooresville don’t regulate vacation rent-als.
Cornelius Town Manager Anthony Roberts said the town was looking out for those who live next door to a rental prop-erty when they passed the regulation.
“We’re not Myrtle Beach. We are a resi-
dential community,” Roberts said. “(Peo-ple want) peace and quiet and to build a sense of community.”
Banning vacation rentals in single-fami-ly homes in Lincoln County could lead to more problems. After Cornelius decided to limit vacation rentals to condos and apartments, property owners showed up outraged.
Haimbaugh and his wife, Lisa, bought a lakefront house in Cornelius in March 2006 to open up to families on vacation. They also added a small cottage and ga-rage to the property.
Three years later, Cornelius adopted an ordinance banning vacation rentals in single-family neighborhoods. The Haim-baughs were left with a hefty mortgage on a house they could not rent.
They asked the Cornelius Town Board for an extension in January so they could continue operating the rental and recover their losses on the property. Town com-missioners denied the request because the Haimbaughs had a violation of the permit in 2009.
Since that violation, Haimbaugh said he has been more selective of his tenants.
“I make sure that we rent to families,” he said. “At $5,000 a week, I’ve gotten some really nice, classy people.”
So when the town told him to shut down the rental, he decided to fi ght it.
“I thought vacation rentals were proper-ty owners’ rights that were sacred,” Haim-baugh said.
He’s taking the case to the state Supe-rior Court, which he thinks will set the precedent for vacation rental regulation.
“The thing is, myself aside, the decision could impact Denver, Mooresville and all of the Lake Norman area,” Haimbaugh said.
Haimbaugh said he understands his neighbors concerns about renters and re-duced property values, but thinks he has a right to do what he wants on his property.
“Both of my neighbors would prefer that we didn’t rent the property,” he said. “I get that, I understand that. I try to do a very thorough job of talking with (the families who rent from me). Occasionally you get someone who doesn’t know any better.” ❑
NewsNews
If so, we’d love to hear from you. Send story ideas to [email protected] and include your name, the idea with a few details, and an e-mail address or phone number. If it’s a story we can use, we’ll contact you.
If soSenvillnaannw
CORNELIUS – Michael Cherry said this week he intends to
sue the Cornelius Police Department, and all of the investiga-
tors who worked on his case, claiming he was wrongly impris-
oned for 27 months on bad evidence and faulty police work.
Cherry, 40, was released from jail last month after the Meck-
lenburg County District Attorney dropped several charges
against him, including rape, kidnapping, robbery with a dan-
gerous weapon and burglary, saying the evidence collected by
CORNELIUS – Homeowners fighting their property’s tax re-
valuation are again searching for answers after county commis-
sioners were told last week there was nothing they could do to
stop the appeals process.
Cornelius commissioners requested in a letter two weeks ago
the appeals process be put on hold in order to help property own-
ers have time to help them understand the process better.
Man freed of charges
plans to sue policeTax revaluation
appeals will continue
Michael Cherry: “I wanted my trial” Here’s what homeowners need to know
about the process
The North Mecklenburg basketball team celebrates after winning the 2005 Class 4A state title. That team was led by Jamie Skeen, a 6-foot-
9 standout forward who would later lead the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams to a 2011 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four. Skeen
made the Herald Weekly’s list of the area’s best players over the past decade. See who else made our list on page. 3.
Herald file photo
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.........17
.........21
d ........24
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...........32
hools’ hip
e 27
al g
Luxury As It Should Be Higher Standards Standard
SVILLE ROAD • HUN
04-659-7010 • WWW.RANDYMARIONGMC.COM
Just Arrived!
*Price is plus tax, tag, $599.00 admin fee, $660.00 Touch of Class and includes GM Owner Loyalty.
by
by
(See on page 16)
(See on page 12)
Who are Lake Norman’s top athletes?
YOU
........
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SERVING HUNTERSVILLE, CORNELIUS AND DAVIDSON
20035 Jetton Rd(704) 895-9844
✴ ✴
✴
www.signaturestylehairstudio.com
Lake Norman towns wrestle with vacation rentals
by Courtney [email protected] Cornelius’ vacation rental regulations
The ordinance that regulates Cornelius vacation rental properties includes:
• Property owners must obtain a per-mit to operate a vacation rental.
• The residence cannot house more than one tenancy in a seven-day period.
• Rental homes cannot be used for spe-cial events.
• Vehicles must be parked in a designat-ed parking area. No more than two cars per bedroom are allowed at all times.
• No more than three people per bed-room are allowed on the property at one time.
• Property owners must designate a local contact person who can respond to concerns and complaints.
• Owners or operators must make ef-forts to minimize outside noise after 10 p.m.
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