Residents urge careful rules for short-term rentals; board seeks more input

The Planning Board opened a public-comment period on proposed short-term rental regulations and received several statements from residents and property owners urging caution and tailored rules. Supporters said short-term rentals provide local economic benefits and job support, while asking the board to protect small-scale, year-round landlords and require a local contact to handle neighbor complaints.

Steve Taylor told the board that owners "do every- thing they can to minimize problems to neighbors – noise limitation signs, avoidance of blocked driveways, etc.," and said property owners sometimes restrict occupancy; he noted one property had been approved for eight people and later received a reduction in allowable occupancy. William McKee and other commenters urged the board to consider occupancy-per-bedroom guidance (for example, two people per bedroom) and to account for parking and septic considerations. Chair Bruce Evener said the board plans to keep the item open for further public comments and asked that written comments be sent to the Village Clerk.