Project Date: 2020
BIPPA is against allowing short term daily vacation rentals in our neighborhoods. Our County Commission is about to cause the entire lifestyle of the community that you moved here for to disappear forever. Impending amendments to our zoning laws by the Brevard Commission means a possible revolving door of strangers and transients in the house next to you. The proposed amendments will change 22 zoning categories including many residential areas TO INCLUDE VACATION RENTALS AS PERMITTED USE.
URGENT ACTION NEEDED: The proposed changes are expected to be decided at the December 8 meeting. That's LESS THAN 30 DAYS. Then ratified 2 weeks later.
Please join our email list:
1000 Friends of Florida Letter of Support to Stop Daily Rentals
-11-18-20 BCAC Agenda Packet
IMPORTANT MEETING DATES:
Please see the tentative ordinance hearing/meeting schedule below. It is subject to change if items are tabled or if staff receives other direction from the Commissioners (call County Manager at 321-633-2001 to confirm). All meetings are held at the Brevard County Government Complex, 2725 Judge Fran Jamie son Way, Vera, FL 32940, Building C, Room 101.
All meetings are open to the public. Your voice matters.
Mon, November 23 Local Planning Agency---3 pm (IMPORTANT TO ATTEND) 11-23-20 LPA Agenda Packet
Tues. December 8 Board of County Commissioners Meeting---5 pm (IMPORTANT TO ATTEND)
Tue, December 22 Board of County Commissioners Meeting---9 am (IMPORTANT TO ATTEND)
BACKGROUND INFO ON THE ISSUES:
In 2006, after hard work by homesteaders, the County Commission added property protection from Resort Dwellings and VR's (Sec. 62-1841.5.5 and 1945.2) to protect single family home neighborhoods (Sec. 62-1340 - 1342 RU-1-1-13 and Sec. 62-1102 - Article VI) , thereby only allowing rentals of more than 90 days in designated areas, but not in the heart of neighborhoods. This was an even-handed conclusion for all stakeholders and property owners.
In 2011, The Florida State Legislature adopted Section 509.032(7)(b) in order to limit the ability of local governments to regulate vacation rentals, but “grandfathered” in a local ordinance that already existed. Specifically, this statute which allows Vacation Rentals EVERYWHERE provides that "[a] local law, ordinance, or regulation may not prohibit vacation rentals or regulate the duration or frequency of rental of vacation rentals if enacted after June 1, 2011.
BREVARD COUNTY’S GRANDFATHERED EXEMPTION:
Luckily, since Brevard passed the ordinance before 2011, we are grandfathered in to keep what we have! ie; Brevard is Exempt from the State regulations on VR's everywhere.
Unfortunately, District 3 Commissioner John Tobia, has brought back the issue of resort dwellings and VR's in our residential areas and the Planning & Development Department staff have prepared data for public hearings in November with a FINAL Commission decision in December (see “Meeting Dates”).
THE PROBLEM:
ANY CHANGES will PERMANENTLY subject our protection (by our 2006 exemption) to legal challenge.
This means whatever we give up can NEVER be gotten back! With corporate giants like VRBO, Airbnb and Expedia, and support from hedge funds and private equity, all specializing in short term rentals, once the ball starts rolling, there will be no stopping it from spreading to Brevard's neighborhoods and beaches.
Although this may seem like a separate rights issue, the term property rights applies to us as well. Just imagine the list below taking place in the house next to you! What about your rights for your family to live in a safe and quiet neighborhood? (Note: HOA's, PUD's and Associations are not protected if there is a change to the 2006 county law, as this amendment impacts everyone).
SHORT-TERM RENTALS WILL AFFECT YOUR LIFE:
THE SOLUTION:
The community gathers as a non-partisan force to convince our Commissioners and County Attorney that our family's safety is more important than their Big Money backers.
To do this, we must raise awareness very quickly.
We must get going on this issue. Email the County Manager Abbate, Attorney Bentley and all five Commissioners listed below. We need only 3 of the 5 votes of commissioners to defeat this atrocity.
HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO TO STOP DAILY RENTALS:
1. SPEAK UP: Plan to go to the December 8th meeting. With Covid as a concern, we can assemble outside the building and practice safe distancing.
2. JOIN BIPPA EMAIL: Fill out the contact form to stay up to date with emails and local info. For over 30 years we have been leading efforts to preserve the balance and quality of life addressing population growth, wildlife, habitat and other barrier island issues.
3. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS. CALL TO HELP US (321-733-6123)
4. DONATE: Please help us save our neighborhoods. Your generous tax-deductible donations pay for flyers, mailings, this website and the protection of the barrier islands.
-11-18-20 BCAC Agenda Packet
IMPORTANT MEETING DATES:
Please see the tentative ordinance hearing/meeting schedule below. It is subject to change if items are tabled or if staff receives other direction from the Commissioners (call County Manager at 321-633-2001 to confirm). All meetings are held at the Brevard County Government Complex, 2725 Judge Fran Jamie son Way, Vera, FL 32940, Building C, Room 101.
All meetings are open to the public. Your voice matters.
Mon, November 23 Local Planning Agency---3 pm (IMPORTANT TO ATTEND) 11-23-20 LPA Agenda Packet
Tues. December 8 Board of County Commissioners Meeting---5 pm (IMPORTANT TO ATTEND)
Tue, December 22 Board of County Commissioners Meeting---9 am (IMPORTANT TO ATTEND)
BACKGROUND INFO ON THE ISSUES:
In 2006, after hard work by homesteaders, the County Commission added property protection from Resort Dwellings and VR's (Sec. 62-1841.5.5 and 1945.2) to protect single family home neighborhoods (Sec. 62-1340 - 1342 RU-1-1-13 and Sec. 62-1102 - Article VI) , thereby only allowing rentals of more than 90 days in designated areas, but not in the heart of neighborhoods. This was an even-handed conclusion for all stakeholders and property owners.
In 2011, The Florida State Legislature adopted Section 509.032(7)(b) in order to limit the ability of local governments to regulate vacation rentals, but “grandfathered” in a local ordinance that already existed. Specifically, this statute which allows Vacation Rentals EVERYWHERE provides that "[a] local law, ordinance, or regulation may not prohibit vacation rentals or regulate the duration or frequency of rental of vacation rentals if enacted after June 1, 2011.
BREVARD COUNTY’S GRANDFATHERED EXEMPTION:
Luckily, since Brevard passed the ordinance before 2011, we are grandfathered in to keep what we have! ie; Brevard is Exempt from the State regulations on VR's everywhere.
Unfortunately, District 3 Commissioner John Tobia, has brought back the issue of resort dwellings and VR's in our residential areas and the Planning & Development Department staff have prepared data for public hearings in November with a FINAL Commission decision in December (see “Meeting Dates”).
THE PROBLEM:
ANY CHANGES will PERMANENTLY subject our protection (by our 2006 exemption) to legal challenge.
This means whatever we give up can NEVER be gotten back! With corporate giants like VRBO, Airbnb and Expedia, and support from hedge funds and private equity, all specializing in short term rentals, once the ball starts rolling, there will be no stopping it from spreading to Brevard's neighborhoods and beaches.
Although this may seem like a separate rights issue, the term property rights applies to us as well. Just imagine the list below taking place in the house next to you! What about your rights for your family to live in a safe and quiet neighborhood? (Note: HOA's, PUD's and Associations are not protected if there is a change to the 2006 county law, as this amendment impacts everyone).
SHORT-TERM RENTALS WILL AFFECT YOUR LIFE:
- Increased crime.
- You may need to walk two houses over, or your kids may want to play with a friend, and pass a house with strangers and transients. Would you go? Will you let the kids go? Do you want a revolving door of strangers in the house next to you?
- Higher taxes caused by changing your residential zoning to allow commercial hotel and resort type properties.
- Construction of purpose-built vacation rental homes in residential areas will essentially be mini-hotels with no occupancy restrictions.
- Absentee management next door, most likely from out-of-state, out-of-country or corporate ownership.
- Increased pollution and more risk to our local environment.
- Pop-up parties, weekend parties, houses rented for a few days for big events.
- Sets precedence for future commercial variances in neighborhoods by Planning and Zoning boards.
THE SOLUTION:
The community gathers as a non-partisan force to convince our Commissioners and County Attorney that our family's safety is more important than their Big Money backers.
To do this, we must raise awareness very quickly.
We must get going on this issue. Email the County Manager Abbate, Attorney Bentley and all five Commissioners listed below. We need only 3 of the 5 votes of commissioners to defeat this atrocity.
HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO TO STOP DAILY RENTALS:
1. SPEAK UP: Plan to go to the December 8th meeting. With Covid as a concern, we can assemble outside the building and practice safe distancing.
2. JOIN BIPPA EMAIL: Fill out the contact form to stay up to date with emails and local info. For over 30 years we have been leading efforts to preserve the balance and quality of life addressing population growth, wildlife, habitat and other barrier island issues.
3. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS. CALL TO HELP US (321-733-6123)
4. DONATE: Please help us save our neighborhoods. Your generous tax-deductible donations pay for flyers, mailings, this website and the protection of the barrier islands.
5. YOUR VOICE MATTERS: Call and Email ALL five Brevard County Commissioners, the County Manager and Attorney NOW. Let them know you are opposed to ANY changes in the current zoning that would allow daily rentals. NO CHANGES to the existing 2006 exemptions. NONE.
District 1: Call: Rita Pritchett. 321-607-6901. Email: [email protected]
District 2: Call: Bryan Lober. 321-454-6601. Email: [email protected]
District 3: Call: John Tobia: 321-633-2075. Email: [email protected]
District 4: Call: Curt Smith. 321-633-2044. Email: [email protected]
District 5: Call: Kristine Isnardi. 321-253-6611. Email: [email protected]
County Manager: Call: Frank Abate, 321-633-2001 Email: [email protected]
Brevard County Attorney: Call: Eden Bentley, Esq, 321-633-2090 Email: ede[email protected]
MEETING DATES:
Please see the tentative ordinance hearing/meeting schedule below. It is subject to change if items are tabled or if staff receives other direction from the Commissioners (call County Manager at 321-633-2001 to confirm). All meetings are held at the Brevard County Government Complex, 2725 Judge Fran Jamie son Way, Vera, FL 32940, Building C, Room 101. All meetings are open to the public to speak up.
Mon, November 23--Local Planning Agency--3 pm (IMPORTANT TO ATTEND) 11-23-20 LPA Agenda Packet
Tues. December 8--Board of County Commissioners Meeting--5 pm (IMPORTANT TO ATTEND)
Tue, December 22--Board of County Commissioners Meeting--9 am (IMPORTANT TO ATTEND)
District 1: Call: Rita Pritchett. 321-607-6901. Email: [email protected]
District 2: Call: Bryan Lober. 321-454-6601. Email: [email protected]
District 3: Call: John Tobia: 321-633-2075. Email: [email protected]
District 4: Call: Curt Smith. 321-633-2044. Email: [email protected]
District 5: Call: Kristine Isnardi. 321-253-6611. Email: [email protected]
County Manager: Call: Frank Abate, 321-633-2001 Email: [email protected]
Brevard County Attorney: Call: Eden Bentley, Esq, 321-633-2090 Email: ede[email protected]
MEETING DATES:
Please see the tentative ordinance hearing/meeting schedule below. It is subject to change if items are tabled or if staff receives other direction from the Commissioners (call County Manager at 321-633-2001 to confirm). All meetings are held at the Brevard County Government Complex, 2725 Judge Fran Jamie son Way, Vera, FL 32940, Building C, Room 101. All meetings are open to the public to speak up.
Mon, November 23--Local Planning Agency--3 pm (IMPORTANT TO ATTEND) 11-23-20 LPA Agenda Packet
Tues. December 8--Board of County Commissioners Meeting--5 pm (IMPORTANT TO ATTEND)
Tue, December 22--Board of County Commissioners Meeting--9 am (IMPORTANT TO ATTEND)