Short-Term Rental Overlay

48-year Bayville Street resident urged support for the overlay, recalling the 1980s Willoughby rezoning effort.

STR operator argued STRs are only 3% of homes and generate tax money; said rules should reflect facts, not target an easy group.

Willoughby Civic League negotiator said the proposal is a good-faith compromise and urged support.

Investor who put $100,000 into a rental opposed the 300-foot buffer, saying STR counts are down and data isn't backing the rules.

Retiree described a would-be renter who turned out to be a registered sex offender; urged council to restore the neighborhood.

20-year Willoughby resident said STR-driven tourism helps small businesses and suggested a smaller buffer if any.

Owner-occupant surrounded by five STRs urged support for the compromise density cap.

Navy veteran said she was outbid $50,000 by an STR buyer; called it the pillaging of Willoughby.

STR host cited FOIA'd complaint data (6 real violations in 2023) and asked council to reject or defer for an economic study.

Willoughby Civic League president asked for guidelines, noting the spit's 60 registered STRs and Planning Commission's 5-1 endorsement.

27-year resident said the overlay infringes property rights and hurts tourism; urged a no vote.

Owner since 2021 said he documented over 800 STRs citywide and many illegal ones; supported the amendment.

STR owner who hosts military families said she invested $350,000 in safety upgrades and urged support of STRs.

Described years of problems next to STRs — child neglect, prostitution, drugs — and begged council to make her neighborhood normal again.

STR owner criticized the 'adverse effects' language, cited one valid complaint in three years, and warned buffers force the market underground.

Willoughby resident noted Willoughby has ~25% of the city's STRs and asked council to act where the need is greatest.

75-year Norfolk native said six STRs on one block of Toler Place changed its character; urged support.

Argued the STR zoning overlay is exclusionary, cited a demand letter over procedural defects in the civic league vote, FOIA data showing only one substantiated complaint of 728, and unaccounted-for STR tax revenue of roughly $3.4 million a year.