Seneca’s leaders get earful about short-term rentals

Seneca leaders have given preliminary approval to a new set of rules covering house rentals on a short-term basis. They apparently are amenable, however, to making changes before second and final ordinance reading—based on what they heard last night from residents of three home developments north of the bypass. The city has taken to crafting the law after an Atlanta couple sued when they were denied the right to rent their second home on Northampton Road. Residents of Seneca’s Normandy Shores and White Oak Cliffs have objected to what they consider to be the potential for parking squeezes and loud parties caused by short term renters. Flora Riley, president of the Normandy Shores Property Owners Association, announced that her neighborhood has now amended its subdivision rules to forbid short-term rentals, and she urged the mayor and council to respect the rules of individual neighborhood associations. Riley’s husband, Ernest Riley, along with Bob Atwater, suggested allowing the Atlanta couple an exemption as a way to settle the legal challenge. Ernest Riley suggested a 10-year exemption, pointing out that the couple has said they intend to retire to Northampton Road in 10 years time.