I have two short term rental bills that are set for 2nd reading next week -- one is about maximum occupancy for a unit, and the other is about how many units can be in any one part of town.  (There's a third bill pending also -- CM Burkley Allen is the lead sponsor on that one.)In response to many in the Council (including me) asking for better enforcement of our existing laws, the Mayor announced last week that Metro is hiring a consultant that "will make recommendations related to staff size, organizational structure, work shift assignments, as well as proactive property maintenance code administration and enforcement by the end of 2016." This will include a review of all enforcement efforts related to short term rental properties.

This is welcome news. About the only thing everyone has agreed on is that Metro needs better enforcement of these laws. I'm also glad that the turnaround time will be quick so we can have a report back by the end of the year.

In order to give this process a chance to play out, I plan to defer my two bills indefinitely.