Vacation rentals will no longer be allowed in the R-3 residential zone of Breezy Point, which is recognized as primarily single-family homes.

City Administrator Joe Rudberg explained in a memo that the planning commission found vacation rentals to be disruptive to single-family home neighborhoods, which primarily make up the R-3 district.

The council made the decision Monday night, Feb. 4, during its regular council meeting.

Vacation rentals are defined as homes that are rented out more than four times a year. They’re still allowed in other zones, including the R-4 residential district, which is multi-family homes, commercial, limited commercial, waterfront commercial and resort commercial.

The council requested the planning commission to look at the ordinance after hearing concerns from residents about vacation rentals at the Nov. 6, 2012, council meeting.

Council member Otto Schmid voted against the ordinance amendment, saying that enforcement would require a lot of resources.

Public safety

In January, Breezy Point Police Chief Kevin Merschman reported 197 calls for service, including 82 traffic stops, 29 agency assists, 11 medicals, five accidents and 64 miscellaneous.

In other business Monday, the council:

• Heard a presentation from Tim Bray, Crow Wing County Highway Department engineer. Bray is asking for public feedback via a survey on the county’s website.

The council discussed numerous road-related matters with Bray, including adding a left turn lane from County Road 11 onto Buschmann Road, road striping and whether Buschmann could become a county road. No decisions were made.

• Amended the city’s dynamic sign ordinance. The changes were made to update the code to bring in current technology and enhance enforcement and integrity. Council member Diane Williams voted against the change.

• Discussed staff pay for holidays. The city had been paying 2.5 times regular pay for holidays, though the employee handbook stated staff should be paid 1.5 times regular pay. The council voted to pay 1.5 times regular pay going forward. Mayor JoAnn Weaver and Williams voted against the decision.

• Appointed Michael Moroni to the Parks and Recreation Committee.

• Approved annual year-end fund transfers.

• Approved purchase of a trailer for the sewer department, in the amount of $5,872.32. Council member Scott Willer voted against the purchase, saying the need for the trailer was not explained.