STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, COUNTY OF NEWPORT

The Town Council of the Town of Tiverton, County, and State aforesaid held a Special Council Meeting on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at 7:00 PM at the Tiverton Town Hall, 343 Highland Road.

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

Council President deMedeiros called the meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

3. ROLL CALL

Present

Council President deMedeiros	Council Vice President Burk	Councilor Janick
Councilor Edwards V	Council Edwards	Councilor Milbourne

 

Absent

Councilor Perry

 

Town Administrator Cotta, Solicitor Marcello, Clerk Chabot, and Deputy Clerk Veegh were also present.

 

BUSINESS BROUGHT BEFORE THE COUNCIL

 

4. GENERAL BUSINESS

A. Discussion and possible votes on potential amendments to the Tiverton Code of Ordinances

     Appendix A Zoning, Short-Term Rentals

 

Council President deMedeiros opened the discussion, noting the meeting was for the councilors’ deliberation only, and not open to public comment. She turned the meeting over to Council Vice President Burk, who with Solicitor Marcello’s assistance, had developed the short-term rental (STR) matrix as a guide.

 

Acknowledging that several meetings would likely be necessary, Councilor Burk suggested a motion to limit the meeting to 9:00 pm.

 

Council Vice President Burk motioned to limit the discussion to 9:00 pm. Seconded by Councilor Edwards V, the motion passed unanimously.

 

Council Vice President Burk read through the matrix by line item, in an effort to get a sense of consensus from the council. He added that STRs were currently not permitted, referring to current code language that states, “uses not listed or not generally provided for in the zoning District use table shall not be permitted anywhere in the town of Tiverton.”

 

Councilor Edwards V stated he disagreed wholeheartedly with the attempt to regulate short-term rentals. Councilor Burk noted he could share those concerns as items came up for discussion.  

 

Councilor Edwards V queried if STR issues were limited to certain areas of the town. His concern was potential legal implications and exorbitant legal fees due to the town’s involvement with neighborhood-specific matters. Councilor Burk replied that public comments, both pro and con, had been received from specific neighborhoods, in various areas of the town.

 

Discussion continued around fee structures, occupancy limits, off-street parking, septic requirements, owner occupancy, and allowing only in certain zones. Solicitor Marcello reminded the council that STRs would be granted by special use permit which also requires an application, fees, abutter notification, and advertising costs.

 

Councilor Edwards V questioned fire and safety capacity and resources. He also cautioned that regulations should be applied equally and objectively to all.

 

Councilor Janick stated short-term rentals add tax revenue and character to the town, and would not want to make it cost-prohibitive for small business STR owners. Council Burk agreed STRs create some added value, but must be balanced by how they affect the quality of life in our neighborhoods.

 

Items that appeared to garner a consensus were including a preamble, requiring off-street parking, number of occupants as related to the approved ISDS system, and owner response times.  

 

Councilor Burk suggested he and the solicitor create various scenario comparisons for flat fees for owner-occupied vs. non-owner-occupied, and other options such as fees renting out single rooms.  The next meeting date would be determined at a future council meeting.

 

5. ADJOURNMENT

Councilor Edwards V motioned to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Councilor Edwards, the motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.

 

 

A True Copy.

 

ATTEST________________________________

                    Joan B. Chabot, Town Clerk