‘Short-term party house and ghost hotel’ a problem says Oro-Medonte mayor
The issue of “party houses” continues to be a major concern for some Oro-Medonte residents, ever since a by-law aimed at limiting short-term rentals in the area was revoked.
“The short-term party house and ghost hotel is a problem,” says Oro-Medonte Mayor Harry Hughes.
A problem the township will have to find another solution for now that its amended by-law to control short-term rentals has been revoked.
Oro-Medonte wanted to prohibit temporary accommodation of 28 days or less in a residential zone, to prevent out-of-town partiers from disturbing locals.
A few months ago, the locals created the Oro-Medonte Good Neighbours Alliance, a group pushing the town to enforce its short-term rental by-law on disruptive tenants.
On the other hand, homeowners in the area are pleased with a decision by the Ontario Land Tribunal that Oro-Medonte’s amended by-law went too far.
“For most people, I know it’s a way of keeping the cottage in the family, it’s a way of paying taxes and the costs of maintenance and upkeep which was gone up and up,” says Barry Sookman, the president of the Short Term Rentals Association.
The association says it’s fully supportive of finding a middle ground to target the problem.
“My association does not condone disruptive party houses and has offered to work with Oro (Medonte) on a new and reasonable and proportionate by law,” says Sookman.
Mayor Hughes says with summer quickly approaching, he hopes to find a solution before the rental season picks up.