The Community Has Spoken

To the editor: Despite differing opinions about what to do about short-term rentals (STRs), there are a few facts that are clear. The Land Court held that STRs cannot be the principal use of a property in a residential zoning district and the voters refused the fourt attempt in Article 59 to change zoning to allow commercial STRs in our neighborhoods.

Also, it was announced at the Select Board meeting last week that five articles are currently being developed by different groups to regulate STRs. These articles would be considered for the Special Town Meeting scheduled for September 17, 2024. None of these proposals have been provided to the public except for the one being proposed by Put Nantucket Neighborhoods First which is posted on their website at www.NantucketNeighborhoods.org.

I look forward to reviewing the other articles but, first and foremost, what we need to do now is work together on a solution that protects and clarifies homeowners’ right to rent. If articles with the same effect as Article 59 are filed again, it will just be further proof that the commercial interests aren’t willing to compromise because they can’t. No other solution will satisfy their insatiable appetite for making money at the community’s expense.

Sincerely,

Emily Kilvert