FAIRHOPE — A July 11 Fairhope City Council work session held to discuss the issue of short-term rentals in residential areas gave citizens and real estate agents the chance to speak their minds.

A short-term rental is anything less than 30 days, and it’s common for visitors to typically rent a house for a weekend or a few weeks. Having a revolving-door atmosphere in neighborhoods has residents concerned, while those in favor of the rentals argue it boosts the community’s economy.

Tuerk Schlesinger argued in favor of short-term rentals. Schlesinger said he had purchased an old house on Bayview Drive that is almost 100 years old. He renovated it and now rents in out short term.

“It’s been a wonderful thing for this,” Schlesinger said.

He added the majority of his problems have been with long-term rentals. He brought up a time where he rented the house out to a couple who had been using drugs. The low rates for long-term renting were also a problem, he said.

He said that having visitors come in and stay for a short time bolsters the economy.

“I think this is a better thing for the city, having short-term rentals,” Schlesinger said.

Those criticizing the short-term rentals focused on several aspects causing them grief.

One woman approached the council and said she represented her aunt and uncle who have lived in Fairhope for over 35 years. She explained that when they moved into the residential neighborhood on North Mobile Street, they loved the quiet atmosphere. Now with the presence of rentals, people are coming in and out and causing disruption, something they are not happy about, she said.

One woman who lives on Morphy Avenue said guests of a nearby rental can look directly into her living room, and she feels her privacy is being violated.

Another woman said she was furious about the noise and disruption these visitors bring to the neighborhood.

Several people addressed the issue of trash that visitors leave behind and their perceived lack of respect for keeping Fairhope looking nice.

Some solutions presented by those in favor of short-term rentals include:

•Have those renting out houses present a list to the city of the locations

•Obtain the phone numbers of the home owner and manager so people can issue complaints

•Have the city limit the amount of guests.

Dean Mosher, owner of Storybook Guesthouse, said he believes there should be a cap placed on how many rentals there are in the city.

“I don’t want to deny people from coming here and I don’t want to deny these people who want to make money,” Mosher said. He added the owner’s license to rent property should be renewed every year.

Schlesinger said some regulations that could be put into motion are limiting rentals to two people per bedroom, no more than two cars per home and the prohibition of parties.

After listening to everyone who wanted to speak on the issue, the council discussed it.

Mayor Tim Kant expressed a desire to find a way to control this, but also expressed the difficulty in trying to find a solution. Councilman Mike Ford agreed the situation is difficult.

“We’ve got to be careful what we do here,” Ford said.

Councilman Dan Stankoski said he was in support of protecting the neighborhoods from these rentals.

Councilwoman Debbie Quinn said short-term rentals have a negative impact on the city.

“It doesn’t make for a good, solid community if people are coming and going,” Quinn said.

Councilman Cecil Christenberry said this is an issue that needs to be given plenty of time to consider all sides.

He said, “I would rather go slowly and do the right thing then work with haste and mess up. I seriously can see two sides to this issue. There’s some area of compromise that we can reach.”

Even if the council votes to not allow short-term rentals in residential areas, there is still the issue of the grandfather clause.

Any short-term rentals existing in residential areas prior to changing the ordinance could still operate legally.