Ludington council to vote on downtown short-term rentals.

Ludington council to vote on downtown short-term rentals.

#LudingtonNews.

LUDINGTON — City Council is expected to take action tonight during its regular meeting to change the text of the Ludington zoning ordinance section regarding short-term rentals in downtown. Currently, a “boutique” hotel is defined by the city ordinance as a building or part of a building with a common entrance or entrances containing a minimum of four and a maximum of 10 dwelling units or rooming units or both, in which one or more of the following special services are requires: housekeeping services, linen service, telephone or front desk. A boutique hotel may include a restaurant, cocktail lounge, public banquet halls, ballrooms, meeting rooms, and gathering places. The text change would eliminate the four unit minimum.

The change was initiated by Ryan Reed, who owns the building at 115 W. Ludington Ave. The building’s second floor includes apartments. Reed had requested that he be allowed to rent at least one of apartments as a short-term rental.

He initially brought his request to the city’s building and license committee, which then passed it to the planning commission, which then sent the request to the text committee.

Both the text committee and the planning commission held two public hearings on the topic. “Many community members attended these meetings and voiced their opinions, both for and against,” state Carol Ann Foote, city planning/zoning administrator, in a memo to city council.

“Because tourism is a big part of Ludington’s economy, allowing short term rentals will draw tourists to the downtown area,” Foote stated. “This will promote the viability of, not only the downtown businesses, but other businesses in the Ludington area as well, which is one of the goals of the master plan.”

City Manager Mitch Foster is recommending the council approve the text change.

The council meets at 6:30 p.m. tonight at the municipal building, 400 S. Harrison St.

This story is copyrighted © 2019, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.