On policies surrounding Airbnbs, Verbos, and other short-term rentals, the council was always expected to come back and revisit its rules. Councilman James Brown characterized the issues raised over the last year as primarily falling into two areas.
"Mainly what we heard from was from neighborhoods complaining about over concentration as well as other things. And I think we're trying to be responsive to that. What we also heard... is frustration from operators about inconsistency about approving permits," he said.
The new policy changes include restrictions on the number of new vacation rentals permitted in neighborhoods, stricter rules around what is considered a "hosted" rental, a decrease in the maximum occupancy from 12 to 10, and new language allowing applications for short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods to be denied if similar rentals are within 500 feet.
In addition, a special committee meeting restarted debate on a long shelved issue: digital billboards. Councilman Preston Worley is among those who see this as the right time for Lexington to consider allowing them.
"It is where the advertising industry is going. The infrastructure is more modern, it's easier to maintain, it's better looking," he said." The state has now imposed takedown requirements of static billboards if you put a digital billboard up. So this is an opportunity in my mind to embrace the new technology, help land owners and advertisers, but also clean up and maintain our our viewscape."
Concerns range from issues like increased light pollution to energy usage to distracted driving. The digital billboard discussion would require a relatively lengthy process. To alter city zoning laws.
Finally, the council also agreed to allow the mayor's office to move forward with an additional 25 license plate readers, also known as FLOCK cameras.
