Bill to allow Airbnb in Maplewood progresses

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After defeating then renewing a bill that would allow short term rentals in parts of Maplewood zoned single family residence, the Maplewood council is now likely one meeting away from approving the bill — allowing residents to rent out rooms as part of Airbnb.

The bill failed to get a majority at the previous meeting, in August.

Before the vote to renew the bill, Mayor Jim White said he still thinks it’s a bad idea.

“In no way does this benefit the city of Maplewood,” he said. “It brings in more traffic and the possibility of crime. We’re passing an ordinance that benefits maybe three to five individuals that want to make a little extra money on their home.”

Council member Barry Greenberg said he appreciates the opportunity to vote on the measure. He was absent at the meeting when it was originally defeated. He also said he had done some research on what could be a fear of having Airbnb in Maplewood, and reported that only 10 percent of child molestation crimes are committed by strangers; the other 90 percent are by a family member or friend.

White and council member Karen Wood voted against bringing the bill back to the floor. Council member Fred Wolfe, who also voted against the bill in August, was absent. White said Wolfe’s wife, Peggy, had passed on recently.

Council member Tim Dunn proposed making it a conditional use permit, requiring a public hearing and informing all neighbors within a 300-foot radius of a proposed Airbnb. It was added to the bill.

The council passed two readings to the two bills that would allow residents to run an Airbnb in their home — one for zoning and one to set up the regulations. The final votes, along with a public hearing prior, is scheduled for the Oct. 13 council meeting.

Nick Deccio and Adelina Mart, who had an Airbnb in Maplewood before the city closed it down along with the others, after the meeting said they’re happy it’s progressing again.

“The conditional use is fine, if it makes the city feel better,” Mart said. “We run a nice one, so we shouldn’t have anything to worry about through the process.”

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7 COMMENTS

  1. I am on Planning and Zoning and don’t care for presumptuous comments. Caution that some of the long term and experienced folks, who volunteer so much of their time and have lots of history behind their cautious views, should be addressed so harshly! It took YEARS to clear out misuse of residential properties in Maplewood–not so distant past. It does not surprise me that there is very careful scrutiny of the rules and regs for such uses. Being progressive does not mean new and trendy for their own sake. Downside of such trendy ideas (e.g. Malls) have hit hard before. A true community works together and it is (and should be) never fast–and kinder words, folks!

  2. With regard to the amendment added to the AirBNB bill: My feeling is that there are sufficient safeguards in the original ordinance to prevent a public nuisance. By having to go through the conditional use process, you subject the host to an opinion determined by Planning and Zoning (in addition to the unnecessary costs). If a neighbor is against an AirBNB on the street, it is possible that they could convince enough neighbors to oppose it and sway P & Z, which would make it difficult to get an override of 5 votes from Council. I would like to think that Planning and Zoning make their decisions based on facts, not factoids. I believe that AirBNB hosts are innocent until proven guilty and should not be subjected to extraordinary measures to rent a room or two in their own home to supplement their income and make new friends and make Maplewood a destination for out of towners.

  3. ‘The city of St. Louis already allows (and regulates) Airbnb-type rentals under the “rooming house” designation. Why Maplewood is fighting legalizing and regulating this industry is beyond me. What happened to Maplewood being progressive?

    “In no way does this benefit the city of Maplewood”…have you heard of taxes, Mayor White? those things that pay your paycheck? People running any type of home business in our city contribute to the taxable income that flows back into Maplewood. In addition the tourists visiting our local establishments, also add revenue to the city, and the hotel tax that Airbnb’s pay also flows back to Maplewood. And the people that run Airbnb’s, they’re residents of Maplewood, so money going in their pocket is by proxy a benefit to Maplewood as well.

    Every time Mayor White opens his mouth something more uninformed or ignorant falls out.

    • Amanda, if you check who voted for and against the bill in Maplewood, you will discover that — although Maplewood is trying desperately to be progressive — there are a few council members and leaders (like Mayor White) who are simply holding our city back and are regressive in their thinking. If this and other decisions by the council continue to deter Maplewood’s growth as a community, we need to make sure we’re going to the polls when the time comes to vote out the individuals holding us back.

      In summary, I completely agree with you. I believe that we need to take a long-term approach to dealing with the problems with the leadership of our community and make sure they do not remain leaders in the future.

  4. I did a search on the St Louis County Real Estate Information web site. I do not find where either Mr. Nick Deccio nor Ms. Adelina Mart own ANY property in St Louis County.

    I hope the city has a restriction that ONLY PROPERTY OWNERS and not RENTERS, can get a license.

    • Hi pondering. I assure you we own a home in Maplewood. As to your question, the ordinance states that the home has to be owner occupied. Meaning we have to live on site. It further states that we must be at the house over night when we have guests. Hope that answers your question.

      • Got to say I am petty impressed with the way you (Nick) and Adelina handle yourselves publicly. Not the first aggressive statement that has been made and potential to lose your cool. Thanks for representing Maplewood well.

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