Aspinwall officials working on short-term rental ordinance; paving delayed again

Aspinwall officials may implement regulations on short-term rentals within the next few months.

Patti McCaffrey, councilwoman and planning and zoning chair, said the borough is reviewing ordinances from other communities about short-term rentals, also referred to as Airbnbs.

Related data collection began a few months ago. The planning commission would make recommendations to council as part of the ordinance process.

McCaffrey said the goal is to have something on the books by the end of the year.

“What put it on my radar was when we had the problem in the city where that party happened and the shooting happened,” McCaffrey said after council’s Oct. 4 workshop meeting.

She was referring to a fatal shooting at an Airbnb rental property in Pittsburgh’s North Side on Easter 2022.

Police said about 200 people, many underage, were at a party at the Airbnb in the city’s East Allegheny neighborhood when gunfire erupted. Two people were killed and eight were injured.

Pittsburgh City Council approved regulations last month that require anyone operating an Airbnb or other short-term rental property to get a license from the city and provide contact information so they can be reached if issues arise at their property.

“We thought we’d be proactive and not wait for something bad to happen,” McCaffrey said. “To get something in place so that everybody can be clear and understand fully and communicate with transparency, here’s what the rules are to do this.”

McCaffrey, a Realtor with RE/MAX Select, estimates there may be at least six short-term rentals in Aspinwall.

Possible borough regulations could include having the property owner register the rental with the borough and limitations on the number of guests. Inspections could also be a requirement.

“We want to make sure that these properties are safe for the people coming and staying in them,” McCaffrey said. “

In other business

Paving that was expected to start Sept. 25 has been delayed, borough Manager Melissa O’Malley announced.

O’Malley said borough officials spoke with Oakmont-based A. Folino Construction, and work may start between Oct. 9 and Oct. 16.

Road repairs are expected to take about a week.

Work to be done includes:

• Alley I;

• a patch along the 200 block of Second Street;

• a patch at the intersection of Second Street and Virginia Avenue;

• a patch in front of 400 Eastern Ave.;

• three patches on Center Avenue, from Sixth to Eighth streets;

• the intersection of Center Avenue and 10th Street;

• Center Avenue, between Ninth Street and Alley H.

The borough budgeted $75,000 for paving this year.

A. Folino Construction was hired to do the work for just over $57,400.

The borough may use the estimated $17,500 remaining in the budget for brick repairs.