From annomous concerned citizen via BV unofficial FB page:
Bayou Vista – Where Living on the Water is a way of Life. SHORT TERM RENTALS may be a distinct reality in our community. The Mayor and Council currently have a draft copy of a new short term rental ordinance that could have a major impact on our way of life.
Currently there are several short term rentals illegally operating within the City. Citizens, who live close to these rentals, have voiced many complaints and concerns during recent meetings.
We have all been so comfortable with our wonderful little community behind the oleanders, that we may not understand the cost, both economically and personally, of how the passing of this ordinance can affect our lives.
While we appreciate the money brought into Galveston’s economy from Spring Break, Mardi Gras, Slab weekend, Dickens, and the Lone Star Motorcycle Rally, do we want our community bombarded with these visitors staying short term in Bayou Vista?
Infrastructure is a hot topic in Bayou Vista regarding roads, the Police Department, and the MUD facility. Bayou Vista is planning to create a “hotel tax” where part of that money will go to the State and the remainder will be used in Bayou Vista.
The mayor and council members discussed the collection of hotel tax as a form of revenue for the City. The collection of these monies could result in additional administrative costs in employee time and possibly the addition of needed employees.
The State of Texas Comptroller is very specific with how a city can use hotel taxes. Per the TML’s site (Texas Municipal League) www.tml.org, it appears that the city does not meet either criteria:
Criteria #1: First, every expenditure must DIRECTLY enhance and promote tourism AND the convention and hotel industry.
Criteria #2: Every expenditure of the hotel occupancy tax must clearly fit into one of nine statutorily provided categories for expenditure of local hotel occupancy tax revenues.
The City promised, in a recent council meeting, that they would host a town hall event where citizens can ask questions and they will answer. Contact the Mayor to ask when this meeting is scheduled.
The next City council meeting will be Tuesday, October 26, please plan to attend this meeting to voice your concerns to the Mayor and Alderman. If you are not available to attend, please email them at mayor@bayouvista.us and council@bayouvista.us.
Re: Short Term Rentals-(STR)
Posted by Colleen on 10/11/2021, 8:08 pm, in reply to "STRs"
I have emailed the council and mayor requesting a town hall meeting so our citizens can express our opinions on this subject. While it is true that landlords won a case in Austin- we have long standing deed restrictions and ordinances in place to prevent rentals less than 30 days. Our case is and our community is different than Austin and we need to start strictly enforcing what we have in place.
Re: STRs and STDs
Posted by SueG on 10/11/2021, 6:01 pm, in reply to "STRs"
Nobody really wants them! Just a thought....
Re: STRs
Posted by JC on 10/11/2021, 4:42 pm, in reply to "STRs"
Sent this email to City Council today. I hope all residents voice their oppostion to this!
I am a homeowner in Bayou Vista and would like to express my complete opposition to the proposed ordinance that would legalize or facilitate short term rentals in Bayou Vista. The current atmosphere in Bayou Vista is friendly, welcoming, and quiet. Why the city officials would want to destroy that by turning our lovely community into Jamaica Beach or one of the other undesirable areas in Galveston is beyond comprehension!? We love spending our weekends down in Bayou Vista with our neighbors enjoying a peaceful and quiet atmosphere. That would no doubt change if every other house was a weekend party or family getaway. Our sense of community would be destroyed. I understand that there are a few homes operating as STR’s illegally at this time, but why throw out the baby with the bathwater because the City can’t them to comply. Let’s stiffen the penalties for theses STR’s and not destroy our last bastion of what a true neighborhood is! Please take into consideration what the citizens and residents of Bayou Vista want instead of seeing dollar signs and new revenue streams.
Re: STRs-Email to Council
Posted by Concerned BV resident on 10/11/2021, 7:27 pm, in reply to "Re: STRs"
Well written and makes excellent points about the undesirability of STRs. Even though the state says that communities/cities can not legislate against them. Unfortunate that the state can't pass a law that says it is totally a local issue and let us fight it out in the legal system if necessary. I understand that making STRs illegal infringes upon an individual's property rights but because of the local undesirability to have them because STRs also interfere with the adjacent properties peace and tranquility. That balance is MUCH more equitably and fairly determined at the local level than at any level away from those directly effected first hand. Get out of our life Austin!!
Re: STRs
Posted by Neighbor on 10/10/2021, 1:14 pm, in reply to "STRs"
Good post Annette. Thanks to you or to whomever brought this to the BB for those of us who don't believe in FB. And I will be out of the city on the day of the next Council meeting. So, I'll be resorting to email to convey my thoughts on limiting/regulating STR. Thanks again!!!
Re: STRs
Posted by Carrie on 10/9/2021, 11:33 am, in reply to "STRs"
Copies of the draft are available at City Hall. It is a working document and has not been proposed.
