Residents of Pell City attended the city council meeting on Monday to discuss the issue of short-term rentals. According to city zoning ordinances, short-term rentals, such as Airbnb and other vacation renting, is not allowed except in certain circumstances that have been discussed with the city.

One resident asked the council to amend zoning ordinances to be more permissive of it. Other residents also came out to communicate the same request.

No action was taken because the planning commission has to study and make recommendations before anything can be voted on.

“I understand that short-term rentals are somewhat popular. In our city we’ve had this type of thing for a long time by virtue of the lake and that’s why the zoning ordinance is the way it is,” said City Manager Brian Muenger.

Muenger said on these rental websites, it’s usually suggested to property owners to consult their local counties and cities before they start operating.

“We can’t provide guidance to people when we’re not consulted. You can’t just start doing something and then basically ask people to make it right.”

He said a majority of the concern is that most residents who live here do not want to live next to a single-family house that has been converted into a commercial type space with different people there every day.

“People buy houses because they have a right to quiet enjoyment of their property.”

According to Muenger, it’s a legitimate discussion to be had, but people have not been actively communicating with the city about these concerns. This discourse is not due to an ordinance being out of date, but has more to do with what some individuals’ expectations are.

“The number one thing I wish they would understand about it, is that the city recognizes that this has become prominent over a period of years. We keep abreast of what other communities do and the issues that they do and don’t experience from that,” said Muenger.

“Our number one obligation is to protect our residents and make sure they can have the quiet enjoyment of their property.”

Right now there is no scheduled action on this item to change any of the current regulations.

In other business the council approved revising the pay scale for city employees. Muenger said this action is crucial in the recruitment and retainment of employees. The new system will have “substantially higher” entry level salaries.

This is largely due to making cost of living adjustments and the rise of inflation.