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Taylors Falls is a destination for out-of-towners looking to enjoy winter and summer seasons in the presence of the national scenic riverway and state park areas.  The drafting of a city code to regulate short term rentals in Taylors Falls was a stated priority of a mostly new city council, but it‘s proving to be quite the endeavor.   

The city placed a moratorium on applications for approval for short term rental sites,  while officials worked on creating a new ordinance to address citizen concerns. The special halt expires at the end of November, so something ought to be enacted by then.

Council agreed last week 5-0 to table taking action on an agenda item presenting planning commission recommended language, instead wanting more time to digest the ordinance.  The tabling is based on the council directing staff to bring more short term rental details by November.

Sticking points include whether to cap the number of STRs allowed in the city (20 units is suggested) and if a city “license” is needed or if the land use can be controlled through a Conditional Use Permit process alone. (CUP) 

Chisago County requires a short term rental license to be acquired in areas of the county where there is no municipal oversight, and the county planning commission does initial application reviews. City Attorney Fritz Knaack commented this is common practice in rural territories that have a less formal government structure,  but in his opinion, Taylors Falls would not be held to county code standards in the city limits.

Council members still wanted a direct answer to if Taylors Falls  licensing would be superceded by the county requirement anyway.  

Council member Tim Grote additionally observed that if Taylors Falls requires a license on top of the CUP stipulations, what happens if a current short term rental property changes hands and licenses (which belong to the owner) are maxed out?  It is not fair to STR owners to be constricted by a city rule that calls for both the CUP— which is legally attached with the property and a license— which may or may not be available at the time of owner transfer.  Is there a waiting list allowed for, he also wondered.

Plus—Peter Smothers, an STR owner in the city, told council during the meeting last week the market will dictate when running a rental is cost-effective and when it isn’t and a cap is not needed.   

Council, however, said they heard from residents about the explosion of STRs in the city. There could be too many STRs in a small town, and Taylors Falls could suffer from negative impacts these uses can have.  It was the growth in short term rental permit applications that motivated the issue to be looked at in the first place.

Smothers also said Taylors Falls should consider having the county do inspections and process licensing— if it’s part of the new ordinance.

City council will take this ordinance up at a later meeting.

Another issue needing to be looked into further is a city health insurance benefit for staff.  

Council member Grote has been putting together some details working with an insurance provider and he reported there’s more to know to see if this benefit can be feasible and at what level.  

Grote said there’s still time to act and have benefits starting January 1, while continuing to review the levy and budget preliminarily proposed for next year.  (Final levy gets adopted in December.)

Mayor Weiberg said he placed this on the agenda but agrees more options as to policy coverages and cost data are needed. 

~ An emergency repair of the sewer line on West Street was added to the agenda and bills were paid. The Saturday line break and damages were handled swiftly by city staff and Mayor Weiberg said, “...kudos to Paul (in maintenance)” for being on top of everything.

Seal Tech did the sewer infrastructure roadway repairs for $3,900 and the line was fixed by Most Wanted, for $9,800.  Damages claimed from a related back-up are still under review by the city insurer.

~ There will be trolley rides between St Croix Falls and Taylors Falls next Wannigan Days. The trial run this summer was apparently a big hit.

Council approved a deposit to secure Stillwater Trolley services as the best offer of two quotes presented. The rides will be Friday and Saturday in 2025 for $2587.  Donations to help cover Taylors Falls’ half of the bill are most welcome. Call city hall or talk to a council member if you can help out.

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