MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) – The Manatee County Commission chambers were packed Wednesday morning as residents and local leaders gathered for a public workshop to debate the regulation and enforcement of short-term vacation rentals.
While some residents argued that vacation rentals have become a disruptive neighborhood nuisance, rental owners countered that a few bad actors are unfairly spoiling the reputation of compliant properties.
“We want them to be the first responder, we don’t want to be involved,” said Martha Jane Flynn, a senior board member of the Pine Meadow Homeowners Association. “We will share with them how our community operates, we’ll welcome them to the neighborhood, but we want you to follow the ordinances.”…