Plan commission schedules public forum on tourist house ordinance

The City of Rhinelander plan commission is seeking input from the public regarding a potential update to the municipality’s tourist house ordinance.

During its Aug. 6 meeting, the panel scheduled a public forum on the tourist house issue for 5:30 p.m. Sept. 3. 

The Common Council directed the plan commission to further study the topic after hearing from residents concerned about allowing short-term rentals (tourist houses) in the city’s R1 district.

At present, there are two approved tourist houses located in R1 districts. The first is on Woodland Drive while the second, located on Eagle Street, was approved as part of the commission’s Aug. 6 agenda. The commissioners attached the same conditions to the Eagle Street permit as they did the Woodland Drive permit, including a review after one year.

As is required, a public hearing was held prior to the commission’s vote on the Conditional Use Permit for the Eagle Street short-term rental, however no one chose to address the panel on that topic.

In contrast, the Woodland Drive tourist house generated considerable debate. Some argued short-term rentals are a safe, potentially lucrative way to make use of an empty home while others expressed concern that transient housing will negatively impact well-established neighborhoods.

The bulk of the discussion among the commissioners on Aug. 6 centered around the best way to accomplish the council’s directive.

“I definitely think we have to have back and forth,” commissioner Terry Williams said, referring to allowing the commissioners to ask questions and participate in a dialogue with anyone who wishes to comment during the Sept. 3 forum.

“You don’t want to obstruct free-flowing dialogue,” city administrator Patrick Reagan agreed.

Reagan went on to float the idea of creating an ad hoc committee to study this issue.

“In my mind, this would not be a one-meeting fix,” he said. adding that an ad hoc committee might be the best solution as zoning director Veronica Tonnancour has a lot on her plate.

“I think this needs to be more of a group effort.... that’s just my thought on it,” he said.

Reagan also suggested researching best practices and looking carefully at how other communities are approaching this issue.

Finally, he offered a note of caution.

“You’re going to have to chose one way to do this because you’re not going to be able to satisfy everybody,” he said. 

Reagan indicated he would be willing to serve on an ad hoc committee, if one is formed. He suggested Tonnancour and two members of the commission could also be chosen to serve.

The council has directed the commission to study the issue and formulate a recommendation. 

Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].