Plano City Council considers temporary ban on short-term rentals
PLANO, Texas - The Plano City Council is considering new rules for short-term rentals, including a temporary ban.
The council heard from people against the rentals and from some owners who blame a few bad owners.
But a real vote could be months away.
City staff announced there are at least 40 active STRs in Plano.
Dozens urged city council to ban STRs, but leaders say they are weighing legal options.
The push to ban short-term rentals came to a head two weeks ago when about gunfire erupted in the Oakwood Glen neighborhood.
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Stray bullet from Plano short-term rental hits 3-year-old's playroom
Neighbors say they have had issues with parties at the location since it opened a few months ago.
Some of the gunfire came from a house used as a short-term rental. One bullet went into the home of a 3-year-old girl’s playroom.
Last year, Plano police got nearly 150 9-1-1 calls for service to about 60 properties.
One short-term rental owner told council a majority of the calls are allegedly for repeat problem properties.
"I don't sleep. I'm fearful as each day brings the possibility of an out-of-control party at the property or any other surrounding us," said Zoey Sanchez, whose home was hit by a bullet. "My daughter asks me daily are the bad guys coming back. Why would someone shoot our house?
"It's for our children growing up. For safety walking your dog down the block without being shot at by random strangers who can rent a house for one night for a party and have no care," said resident Melissa Mayo.
Council leaders directed staff to have an ordinance proposal at its April 10 meeting.
Because of zoning rules, meetings have to have a 36-day notice.
There’s talk about the possibility of a joint meeting in May.
Council members floated the idea of a temporary ban and then a cooling off period then whatever the new ordinance will be to completely push out STRs.