Benton Harbor Planning Commission advances short-term rental moratorium

The Benton Harbor Planning Commission has voted to approve a moratorium on short-term rentals while city commissioners work on a policy to regulate the properties.

At a meeting this week, the planning commission heard from Zoning Administrator Justin Barden, who said a recent conversation revealed that the city’s current zoning ordinance doesn’t specify where STRs are allowed.

“I got an email and a call from a realtor that has a client from Chicago that is looking into buying properties to turn into short-term rentals, and she stated that St. Joe has them where you can only specifically have them.”

For example, short-term rentals in St. Joseph are only allowed in areas zoned in certain ways. Barden said a previous Benton Harbor ordinance made it clear where STRs are allowed, but that’s no longer the case. While that’s addressed, planning commission member Ambie Bell proposed a motion.

“A moratorium on acceptance and approval of short-term rental uses, defined as overnight accommodations of less than 30 days until the commission has created clear guidelines, including density limits, zoning parameters, and operational standards.”

Planners want to get a clearer handle on the issue so the properties don’t overrun neighborhoods where people live.

There are currently only nine short-term rental properties in Benton Harbor, and they’ll all be grandfathered into whatever new regulations commissioners draft.