Anna Maria city commissioners approved another offer on a Bert Harris claim Aug. 10.
By the recommendation of city attorney Becky Vose, commissioners agreed 4-1 to offer the Phyllis C. Grey Family Trust a maximum occupancy of six or 10 people for 507 Spring Ave.
According to the terms of the agreement, the property can house six guests as it exists or 10 guests based on the proposed construction of new bedrooms.
The claim was filed against the city of Anna Maria in November 2016 alleging that the city’s vacation rental ordinance, which went into effect April 2016, lowered the value of the property by $210,000.
Commissioner Nancy Yetter voted against the settlement offer.
The Bert Harris Jr. Private Property Protection Act of 1995 allows property owners to seek relief if they can prove a government action lowered the value of their property.
Claimants must provide appraisals to establish value and settlements, in lieu of a cash payments can either fully or partly restore the rights that existed before the prohibitions. The city has 150 days to respond to claims submitted.
One of the most contested portions of the ordinance involves limiting occupancy in short-term vacation rentals to eight people.
Of 112 Bert Harris claims filed against the city, 87 have been settled or will be settled upon signing, while 18 are still waiting a final decision.
So glad I sold our family’s house on an Island that no longer is worth it.
“The Bert Harris Jr. Private Property Protection Act of 1995 allows property owners to seek relief if they can prove a government action lowered the value of their property.”
I wonder why those homeowners who live next to/near these mini-hotels can’t fie a Bert Harris claim. Talk about a lowering of property value by living next to one of these monstrosities by allowing them in neighborhoods with single-family homes!