Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the STR Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning Board will not proactively pursue short-term rental rules, will accept public input
Summary
After divided debate the Planning Board voted 3–2 to refrain from proactively advancing short-term rental regulations for a year, while remaining open to public input and future proposals.
On May 5 the Washington Planning Board voted 3–2 to refrain from proactively pursuing changes to short-term rental (STR) regulations for the coming year, but the board said it will accept and consider input from the public if concerns are raised.
The motion as amended stated that the Planning Board "will not internally or proactively work on STRs but will be open to public input on the subject." The motion was put to a vote and carried with Caffrey, Cashorali and Piatt voting in favor and Peel and N. Schwartz voting against.
Members recounted prior meetings and public votes on STR proposals. Cashorali argued residents had twice rejected the board’s prior proposed regulations and said he did not want the board to expend time on an initiative the public opposed. Peel agreed with pausing board-driven work. By contrast, N. Schwartz and others said residents objected to specific language, not to regulation in principle, and stressed the board should remain available to work with citizens.
Jean Kluk, a visitor, said the board’s pause should not leave neighbors without remedies: "The board is not protecting her, she lives next door to an STR and she has no way to contact the owner concerning problems at the property," she said, urging the board to remain responsive to complaints.
The board recorded no change to the LUO at the May 5 meeting. N. Schwartz offered to collaborate with anyone who wants to work on STR language going forward.
