Article Two Is A Fair And Enlightened Compromise On Short-Term Rental Regulations

To the editor: When two sides strongly disagree on an issue, the best way forward is a well-crafted compromise that honors the ideas and concerns of both. Everyone benefits from finding a middle ground.

On the issue that has long divided our community - regulations for short-term rentals - we finally have a plan that will work.

Article 2 at the Special Town Meeting on November 4 is a fair and enlightened compromise. It is carefully designed to meet the concerns of both sides and is well positioned to settle our debate on STRs.

Long hours of work on this issue over the past few years led to some useful ideas that have been improved and refined in Article 2. The article’s regulations are simple to understand and enforce, and they honor two very important, though sometimes conflicting rights: the property rights of owners to rent their homes, and the rights of neighborhoods to retain their character.

A key provision of Article 2 is that it limits STR rentals to no more than seven contracts in the summer season. With seven rental contracts, home owners can generate enough income to help pay the mortgage. At the same time, these limits will benefit neighborhoods by reducing the number of turnovers that clog streets and cause disruption. Similarly, limiting the total number of STR rentals in summer to 49 days will give neighborhoods a break.

The 70-day rental limit for a calendar year will make sure our houses remain homes, used and loved by the people who own them. If my math is correct, home owners will still be able to rent for at least seven three-day weekends in the shoulder season.

We all agree it’s time to settle the STR issue once and for all. Please vote for Article 2.

Jim Sulzer