By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
In June, the Great Bend City Council approved an ordinance that regulated the operation of short-term rentals, or Airbnbs. One of the guidelines requires Airbnb owners to get at least 55% of adjacent owners within 200' to sign an affidavit approving of the Airbnb in their neighborhood. The City of Great Bend anticipated giving the owners two months to get properly licensed and up to code with the new regulations.
At Monday’s city council meeting, a pair of Airbnb owners voiced concerns over the ordinance. Terri Bahr owns two short-term rental properties in Great Bend.
"I have these two properties that have been in business," said Bahr. "What if all of a sudden I have new neighbors move in that don't like this as a property. Am I just out of business? Is the investment that I made and the reputation that I built done? What do I tell my guests that are planning to come to stay? The new neighbors don't like it so now I'm out of business?"
As stated in June, the purpose of the ordinance is to balance the rights of owners’ ability to rent out properties and preserve the neighborhood.
Jared Chansler has operated an Airbnb at 1604 Main Street for a year and a half. Chansler said he’s in a unique situation because his property is located downtown, surrounded by businesses.
"I have zero residences around my business," said Chansler. "I feel it is not fair for me as a business to have to get permission from other businesses to operate my business downtown. Who am I supposed to ask from Landmark Bank for permission to have an Airbnb downtown? Who am I supposed to ask from Farmer's Bank & Trust?"
Both Bahr and Chansler suggested a committee reevaluate the ordinance.