INDIAN ROCKS BEACH, Fla. — The controversy over short-term rentals at Indian Rocks Beach has continued more than a year since it began.
City commissioners explored the potential to scale back its rules on Airbnbs and VRBOs through a workshop on Tuesday.
Seven lawsuits have since been filed against the city after passage of its ordinance regulating vacation rentals. The workshop stemmed after the city moved to mediation, but instead, commissioners vowed to keep the current ordinance.
The decision puts the city in a likely position to defend itself in court, which the city attorney warned could have a financial impact.
"We live in a beautiful community where we're kind of losing the sense of community," said resident Jorge Blassino.
Still, some homeowners are opposing any changes, blaming short-term rentals on increased traffic, noise and disruption to its residential ambiance.
However, one plaintiff states he'll be prepared to elevate this fight in court.
"I'm a bit shocked, a little bit surprised," said Matthew Barrowclough, a resident and plaintiff who said he's representing more than 350 owners. "I worked the last 12 months working with the city."
The current rules govern parking, occupancy, noise levels and building requirements.
Some of the proposed changes explored would allow more occupancy at rentals under certain conditions and would no longer allow the city to revoke a vacation rental license if there are violations.
"As far as I'm concerned, no changes in the ordinance. I reject what they want," said Commissioner John Bigelow at the meeting.
Barrowclough said he worked for months with city officials to come up with a compromise. He argues the area rental owners are also here to create experiences for visitors and adds major infractions brought up from other neighbors remain low.
"I know the people I represent are more galvanized, and I'm hopeful that, you know, we can reach some sort of solution in the future to move past this dark period," Barrowclough said.
Neighbors opposing any changes believe the ordinance is working as intended, although some have said it doesn't go far enough.
Bob Coplen, a resident of Indian Rocks Beach for 38 years, said he's confident the city can handle the expenses that will come from a legal fight and applauds them for vowing to keep the ordinance as written.
Coplen said the proposals explored at the work shop are no more than "scare tactics" from rental owners.
"I think what they did was the correct choice because I believe the way it was presented to them was all or nothing," Coplen said. "It's so one-sided, so blatantly unrealistic."
The legal battle here was put on hold after Florida lawmakers passed SB 280, which would have allowed statewide regulations on vacation rentals, but the governor vetoed it.