The City Council on Tuesday night considered two short term vacation rental permits in St. Elmo and there was opposition to both.
The council wound up approving one and denying another. - based on the recommendations of district representative Erskine Oglesby.
The application by Jennifer Dixon at 4204 Seneca Ave. was approved though several residents expressed opposition. One said there is beginning to be an over-abundance of rentals in St. Elmo. Another spoke of preferring to have long term neighbors rather than those who come and go. Another said the house could be better used as affordable housing.
Ms. Dixon, who said she bought the property when she was 21, said she will be onsite.
The one by Chattanooga Vacation Rentals/James Murray at 4421 Alabama Ave. was denied. A representative of Chattanooga Vacation Rentals said Mr. Murray lives away, but plans to move back this year or next. The representative said CVR has 21 rentals, but just one in Chattanooga. It also operates in Georgia. She said short term vacation rentals are still a small percentage of residential units.
Neighbors said the 4421 Alabama Ave. house has long been run down and Mr. Murray cannot be reached to discuss issues.