Coupeville Town Council Tuesday reviewed proposed regulations and amendments to deal with an increasing number of short-term rentals, such as Airbnb and VRBO.

Council members thanked the Planning Commissioner and planning director for their work, but said they were hoping for something different.

“I really do appreciate the work,” said Councilwoman Pat Powell. “But I think we got it 180 backwards.”

She and other council members said they are worried the proposed amendments would make it easier, not harder, to launch a short-term rental in the town.

During the council’s regular meeting Tuesday, Town Planner Owen Dennison gave a summary of the planning commission’s proposals and reasoning.

He said the commission found insufficient evidence that “community-wide impacts were likely without new restrictions.”

Commissioners determined that requiring a conditional use permit in residential zones is unduly onerous and recommended requiring a business license instead.

The commission began its review over the town’s short-term rental or “transient accommodations” code following a moratorium enacted June 2018. The town council decided to extend the halt on new short-term rentals another six months in December 2018, with the idea to study the impact of the businesses and consider updating its regulations.

Though there have been significant changes in the lodging industry, Coupeville’s regulations governing it have not been updated in over 18 years, according to Dennison.

In considering its proposed changes, the commission did consider requiring a local contact for rental units that can be reached in a timely manner should an issue start to affect surrounding residents. It was also recommended the use wouldn’t be vested, and if problems persist then business licenses could be revoked or not renewed.

These proposals didn’t go far enough for Powell.

“I think it will be a problem,” she said at the meeting. “I think we had an opportunity to get ahead of this.”

Other council members discussed concerns about the “character” of neighborhoods if too many become vacation rentals as well as its impact on housing availability.

Councilman Rick Walti said he’d like to see limits on the density of businesses to avoid too many being clustered together. Councilman Michael Moore suggested the possibility of a cap on how many short-term rentals can operate at the same time.

Mayor Molly Hughes said she didn’t disagree with Powell, and would like another chance to look at the policies and give the planning commission further direction.

The council tentatively scheduled a special workshop for 3 p.m., Tuesday April 30.