Residents press Newark council on short-term rentals, ask for follow-up

Two residents used the public-comment period at the Newark City Council meeting to raise neighborhood concerns about short-term rentals.

Mary Robinson, who identified herself as living at 845 West Locust Street, asked whether the city has rules or regulations for short-term rentals. Robinson said a house two doors from her had been converted to a short-term rental and that unfamiliar guests and commercial vehicles were disturbing a quiet, low-density street.

“Two doors down, they decided that they wanted to open up a Airbnb... every other day, you got strange people coming in,” Robinson said. City staff told her someone would speak with her after the meeting to provide information and follow up.

Later in the town comment portion, Gretchen Holden Smith of 237 Byer Park asked, “What is the policy on air bugs?” — language used in the transcript; staff again indicated they would follow up with her after the meeting. The transcript shows the term was used inconsistently in different comments (the first commenter referred to “Air Airbnb” while another used the phrase “air bugs”), so the record here reflects the wording spoken at the meeting.

Council did not introduce or vote on any ordinance or regulation addressing short-term rentals during this session; members and staff directed that citizens be given follow-up information after the meeting.