(3/25) Half of the Town Council was present at the March meeting to discuss the Rental Registration Program. Vice President Commissioner Jim Hoover, who was acting in the absence of Council President Amy Pollitt, suggested the Council table the discussion until all the members of the Council were present.

Hoover was concerned with the requirement for properties to meet code upon inspection. "It [the Program] requires that as the properties are inspected, on the day that they are inspected they must meet current Frederick County building code and requirements," he said. "My concern with that is that there’s probably not a lot of, in my personal opinion, properties in Town that are going to meet today’s code."

The creation of a rental registration program aims to address rental properties that may not meet code requirements and provide protections for tenants. This new program would require that landlords apply for a rental license and have their property inspected by town staff.

While the Town is still determining how to proceed with the amendment to the Code, the Registration Program will allow them to obtain documentation of the Town’s rentals and ensure that basic safety codes are met.

In agreement with Hoover, Commissioner Kevin Hagan said there was still a lot of work to be done on the Program's requirements. The biggest State requirement that has concerned Hoover in the past is the need for a sprinkler system in all buildings. "I’m more worried about life safety things," said Hoover. "To meet today's State requirement of putting sprinklers in, I don’t think that’s going to be realistic." He gave examples of life safety techniques and tools to include smoke detectors, fire alarms, safe exits and entrance guidelines, safe plumbing and electrical systems.

Commissioner Valerie Turnquist agreed with Hoover and Hagan on tabling the vote and pointed out the guidelines in the ordinance that specifically say where types of housing (to include senior citizens, students and brothels) are allowed. "We have different types of housing all over Town that doesn’t line up with where those properties are allowed," she said. "I think we’re opening up a can of worms, I think this is going to be a nightmare." She was concerned about the enforcement of the Code and the negative impact on landlords and possibly tenants.

Resident Susie Glass, owner of multiple rentals in Town, was present at the meeting and pointed out that the Town already has ways to determine who has rentals. She mentioned that the garbage bills are sent per unit to most residents in Town and that these bills could be used to determine how many rentals exist. Although not against registering her multiple rental properties, she was hesitant on letting too many non-residents into her rentals and disturbing her renters. She also pointed out that even with upkeep and the changes she has already made to her rental, if the Town dug deep enough, they would probably find something wrong as it's a 100-year-old building.

The three Commissioners decided that writing up their questions and concerns and sending them to Town staff for review before the next meeting was their best option at this time.