FLY CREEK - The town of Otsego is getting closer to regulating short-term rentals properties in residential areas.

The town board has discussed regulating the rentals which are often associated with visitors to the Cooperstown Dreams Park who travel with teams to watch their children play baseball at the camp.

In February, town supervisor Tom Breiten told the board that short-term rentals could be established as a permitted use to address issues like safety, traffic, parking, bed tax and the impact on neighborhoods.

"There is potential for negative impact," he said at the time.

Town code enforcement officer Jane Berry said this week that she and town board members Nancy Iverson and Bill Michaels had met recently to work on language for regulations that will be proposed to the town and planning boards.

Berry said they are focusing on properties which rent for 30 days or less, but not including bed and breakfasts, inns, motels and hotels, which are already regulated by special use permits under the town's land use law.

The short-term rentals would be considered a "conditional" use, she said. It is similar in nature, but it is a use that would not be generally appropriate in a residential district.

"It would still allow the neighborhood to be preserved," she said, adding that there would be "numerous conditions."

Berry declined to enumerate all the conditions under discussion currently, because they may or may not be included in the final draft of the regulations. She did indicate that it was likely the regulations would set a limit on the number of occupants, an inspection and fee.

At this point, the regulations would apply only to properties located in residential districts.

"The greatest impacts are those in residential areas," she said.

Rentals in commercial districts raise different issues and will be addressed later.

Berry said short-term rentals are currently not regulated by the town.

Once the proposed regulations are reviewed by the planning board and town board, a public hearing will be scheduled to give residents a chance to voice their opinions. She said hearing will probably be in October or November.

Berry said she believes regulations will be in place for the start of the season next year.