Two more Bert Harris claims were made against Anna Maria Nov. 10.
The claims are for properties at 414 Pine Ave. and 507 Spring Ave.
The first, submitted by Pine Avenue property owners James and Lauren Collins, alleges $295,000 in lost value.
The second, submitted on behalf of the Phyllis C. Grey Family Trust, claims $210,000 in lost value on the Spring Avenue property.
The Bert Harris Jr. Private Property Protection Act of 1995 allows property owners to seek monetary relief if they can prove a government action lowered the value of their property.
The city has 150 days to respond to any claim filed with a “reasonable offer,” or risk the claim going to court.
Claims began flooding city hall this year after the vacation rental ordinance went into effect April 1, limiting short-term rentals to an eight-person occupancy.
City attorney Becky Vose presented eight additional settlement recommendations Nov. 10, all approved by a 3-1 vote. Commissioner Nancy Yetter voted against the settlements.
Commissioner Chuck Webb, who was ousted in the Nov. 8 election, was absent from the meeting. He apparently turned in his city access card before the meeting and told staff he was “done.”
The proposed recommendations offer occupancy settlements above the eight-person maximum established in the VRO.
All but two of the settlements go above Vose’s previous pattern for settlements of two occupants per bedroom, plus two additional occupants. Six of Vose’s new recommendations include a living room or den as an extra bedroom.
The city has received 74 claims to date, totaling more than $20 million in alleged losses.
The commission has authorized 69 offers, 44 of which have been accepted. Only five cases await any offer.
One purchase offer the city made earlier in September for 117 Willow Ave. was accepted by the property owner but, after attempting negotiations, the city rescinded its purchase offer and instead extended another occupancy offer. The commission is awaiting a response to the new offer.