Group to study vacation rentals in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE - A stakeholders group will likely be formed to discuss potential plans to allow vacation rental homes in Moses Lake to attract more tourism.

The Moses Lake City Council approved creating a stakeholder group, consisting of citizens, business owners and city officials, to explore options and create a proposal for vacation rentals to present to council.

The idea was brought up to city council members by Debbie Doran-Martinez, representing Vision 2020, during the council's annual retreat.

"We are a lake town," Doran-Martinez said Tuesday night. "We do have a lack of accommodation on our lake and I think this might fill a void and help make us more attractive of that destination location on the water. And people can actually rent a home and stay on the water for a week or two or three."

City staff did some research on other cities and counties that allow for vacations rentals, and found the permitting process varies in each jurisdiction.

"It's not one size fits all," Community Development Director Gilbert Alvarado said, adding the issue involves zoning requirements and building code requirements.

Several residents, including small business owners and realtors, spoke in favor of forming a stakeholders group to explore options, including Lynn Garza, a broker with Windermere and owner of Accredited Appraisal Services in Moses Lake.

"We really want to offer people visiting our community the opportunity to stay in Moses Lake," she said. "As a city, we've spent hundreds of thousands of dollars promoting tourism, yet there's been times where we have to turn away groups or functions due to the mere fact that we're unable to accommodate them as we already have a baseball tournament, or Springfest, or some other type of event."

Garza said vacation rentals could take the pressure off the community while providing accommodations for more events, as well as accommodations not available at hotels.

Councilmember and Chairman of Vision 2020 Bill Ecret said the group could present to city council a list of recommended stakeholder members for consideration.