BY ERIC WEILBACHER
Stay tuned
Put in perspective
regional advertising appeal. “They’re in Bulverde and they’re in Canyon Lake. People are just advertising them as being in New Braunfels to get the customers,” Looney said.
Websites that allow homeowners to list proper- ties to rent list hundreds in New Braunfels, though many are outside the city. Looney said often New Braunfels is listed for its
Looney said city staff might propose some minor changes to the land development ordinance concerning short-term rentals, but added that the Smart City Policy Group—an Austin-based organization that focuses on city regulations that encourage economic innovation to the public’s benefit—lists New Braunfels’ policy as a model for other cities. Organizations such as the Texas Neighborhood Coalition contend that short-term rentals create a noise nuisance in neighborhoods as well as issues with parking, security and housing values. In the past two years, many Texas cities have considered changes to their short- term rental codes or even banned short- term rentals. In June, San Antonio added revisions including a mandate that online platforms remove listings without a legitimate permit number and adding a required quiet hours notice.
In their own words
A North Houston Avenue home was denied its rezoning request at a City Council meeting June 24. Neighbor Jessica Harley said she opposed using that property as a short-term rental. “I do appreciate what they’ve done with the house. It is beautiful. I am here, however, to oppose the short term rental for many reasons, one of them being the loss of a ordable housing in New Braunfels,” Harley said. The owner of the home in question, Jessica Bacchus, said that the property is zoned for a
This home on North Houston Avenue was recently denied a special use permit to operate as a short-term rental.
SHAHERYAR KHAN/COMMUNITY IMPACT
variety of commercial and light industrial uses, but she would prefer to use it as a rental and keep the residential character.
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