The Cook County Board has approved a committee to look at unauthorized vacation rentals in the county. The request came from Planning & Zoning Director Tim Nelson.
The committee—or task force as Nelson called it—will ask several questions. “We know it’s [unauthorized rentals] going on, but should we do anything about it? Are they a problem? If so, should they be regulated? And how would we regulate them?
“What are the tax implications and what is the potential impact for sewer systems [more use] and potential for neighborhood conflict?
“These are a few things we will discuss and we will come back to the county board with our recommendations,” said Nelson.
Nelson said he thought the committee would be able to come back with some recommendations in “less than a year.”
Members were selected from throughout the county and represent various organizations.
Heidi-Doo-Kirk will serve as the county board’s primary representative with Jan Sivertson as the alternate.
Other committee members are Dave Seaton (primary) and Gerry Gervais (alternate) from the planning commission; County Administrator Jeff Cadwell (primary) and County Attorney Molly Hicken (alternate); County Auditor Braidy Powers (primary) and Karen Blackburn (alternate); County Planning Director Tim Nelson (primary) and County Environmental Health Officer Mitch Everson (alternate); vacation rental business owner Mike Larson (primary) and Steve Surbaugh (alternate); resort owner Bruce Martinson (primary) and Jill Pederson (alternate); Realtor Kim Wolf; general public member J.D. Lehr; City of Grand Marais representative Tim Kennedy (primary), Mike Roth (alternate) and County Assessor Betty Schultz.
Leave a Reply