Mentor — City Council voted Monday to advance a comprehensive short-term rental ordinance to its third reading, moving closer to establishing regulations for properties like Airbnb in the community.
The proposed ordinance would replace the current ban on short-term rentals with a structured permit system allowing up to 32 rentals citywide, with a maximum of eight per ward. The regulations include annual inspections, owner accountability requirements and clear operational standards.
Council President Sean Blake led the meeting where two residents spoke on the issue. Brian Epp of Jackson Street urged council to support the ordinance, noting Mentor currently has 23 short-term rentals operating successfully, representing about one-hundredth of 1% of the housing stock. He emphasized the rentals would generate revenue through a 3% lodging tax for city infrastructure and 5% for Lake County lakeshore improvements.
A resident from Willow Brook Drive raised concerns about parking constraints and noise in neighborhoods with narrow streets and limited parking. Planning Director Kathy Cantanzriti assured the resident she would receive a copy of the ordinance addressing many of these concerns.
The ordinance has been in development for several months, with input from the planning commission, which unanimously approved it on Aug. 14. City Manager Kenneth Filipiak noted the regulations were crafted based on feedback from council and community input. Neighboring communities including Painesville and Fairport Harbor already operate under similar frameworks.
The vote sent the measure to third reading, with Councilpersons John Krueger and Janet Dowling voting against on the initial procedural vote. The ordinance will return for final consideration at the Oct. 21 meeting.
In other business, council unanimously approved an ordinance clarifying the law director’s authority to appoint temporary assistants and special counsel when conflicts of interest arise or specialized legal expertise is needed. Law Director Joseph Szeman said the authority is limited by council’s annual appropriation of $100,000 for legal services, which he has never exceeded during his tenure.
Council also approved fund transfers from the general fund to cover severance payouts for retired employees and allocated funding for a new grant program.
Council also heard an update on the ongoing sewer odor investigation in the Woodhill subdivision and approved more than $1 million in state infrastructure funding.
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