Stonington moves from study to policy drafting on short‑term rentals as housing pressures grow

Stonington's Selectmen moved from study to drafting policy on short‑term rentals after receiving committee recommendations and hearing recurring resident concerns about housing availability.

At an Aug. 15 meeting the short‑term rental committee presented a PowerPoint summary of their work, comparing owner‑occupied versus non‑owner rentals and offering policy options for balanced growth. Committee members recommended next steps for registration and fee structures; the board thanked the committee and directed staff to begin drafting ordinance language and fee proposals for public hearings later in the fall.

Throughout spring and summer meetings, Selectmen also discussed housing‑reserve approaches tied to tax‑acquired property sales. In November and earlier meetings the board discussed setting aside $100,000 from proceeds of tax‑acquired properties to support housing initiatives; the manager described potential uses such as planning, scoping and seed funds for affordable housing projects.

Selectmen voted to award two tax‑acquired parcels in August (Cottage St and Pink St) and discussed earmarking proceeds for a housing reserve. The board emphasized trying to protect year‑round rental stock while regulating short‑term rentals through registration and moderate fees rather than punitive measures that might reduce long‑term housing supply.

Next steps: TM and planning staff will draft proposed short‑term rental regulations and a recommended hearing schedule; the Selectmen signalled support for a housing reserve concept but did not adopt a final funding ordinance.