City Administration took quite the hit from residents during Monday night’s public hearing on short-term rentals.

That’s because many felt that the public consultation process on proposed regulations for short-term rentals was flawed.

Some said during a consultation event, they weren’t notified that a discretionary use permit would increase from $1050 to $2500 dollars or more until the day after the event, when they were emailed the information. Around 10 people in the gallery presented to council, many of who shared their positive experiences of running an AirBnB and that the fee is quite steep.

Jeff Jackson, an AirBnB host and former chair of the municipal planning commission voiced his concerns last month at a municipal planning committee meeting and once again Monday night in council chambers.

He told CJWW News that administration didn’t want to talk about the fee increase with residents and that’s why an email was sent to those who attended the public consultation the following day. He wanted to see administration go back and re-do the consultation process showcasing the proper costs of applying for approval for a short-term rental.

Council voted in favour of moving the matter back and have administration look into a business license approach rather than a discretionary use model.

Jackson says he’s pleased with the news saying that basically administration is re-tooling some of their proposed regulations.

Some of the proposed rules would require those who are renting out a property, where they don’t reside, or are absent during the rental time, to only allow six guests at a time and to provide two off-street parking spots that are paved.

Those matters and city administration’s new findings are expected to come back to council in April.

There are currently 610 short-term rentals listed on AirBnB in Saskatoon.