The first of two to go before council members was presented by Scott McDonald, Director of Development Services, who was requesting an amendment to two sections regarding short-term rentals after staff encountered “ongoing issues” with insurance companies not being able to meet city requirements and also confusion regarding whether current regulations prohibit long-term rentals, typically defined as exceeding 29 days.
In response, McDonald said, the requirement that the City of Weatherford be listed as an additional insured and receive advance notice provisions was to be removed but still require the city be listed on the policy itself.
He went on to add that there was some question on the length of stay regulations and what constituted a short-term versus long-term rental so staff proposed clarifying that the ordinance does not prohibit properties from operating as long-term rentals as long as property owners and/or operators continue to file a zero-dollar hotel occupancy tax report with the State Comptroller’s office.
Council member Heidi Wilder asked if there was a maximum number of days for a long-term rental in the ordinance. McDonald said there wasn’t but that the requirement to inform the Comptroller was paramount.
Council approved the amendments with a 4-0 vote.
Jason Hayes, Weatherford Chief of Police, then asked council to amend residency restrictions regarding sex offenders from the current 1,000-foot buffer around child safety zones to 2,000 feet. He said Texas law allows municipalities to adopt these restrictions as an additional safeguard for children and families.
“Currently, there are 60 registered sex offenders residing within the city limits,” Hayes said, pointing out that 53 were convicted of crimes with a victim younger than 17. “That means that 90 percent have a conviction involving a minor.”
With the expanded buffer, Hayes said, it would create greater separation between the individuals and locations frequented by children. He added that currently compliant registered offenders would not be required to move unless they chose to relocate to a new residence within the city limits. At that time, offenders would have to notify the city of their intended new address for review to ensure it meets the new buffer requirement.
Hayes added there was also a Halloween provision that defined Halloween as it relates to children going door-to-door and added that offenders homes would be prohibited from leaving exterior lights on and forbidden to offer any type of treat, candy or “edible product.”
Updates were approved by Council, 4-0.
Also at the meeting:
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