Town board continues short-term rental debate

By NEAL RENTZ

Speakers at a Town Board public hearing April 27 on potential legislation to regulate short-term rentals were split. The board ultimately agreed to hold a future work session on any changes to the measure.

The objectives of the proposed ordinance with concepts from the Housing Committee are to “Provide the town with suggestions that balance the rights of property owners with concerns of the adjacent homeowners/occupants.”

The Housing Committee’s recommendations also stated that it wanted to deter investors in residential property with the only intent to create short-term rental businesses. A short-term rental is defined under state law as a rental of less than 30 days.

Resident Lisa Oweis opposed the legislation. She said she did her due diligence before buying a property, checking various laws regarding rentals. 

“I invested in the community based on the rules as explained by those who were in leadership,” she said. “To change them retroactively now would be a breach of that good faith.”

Oweis said the town should grandfather-in existing operations if it passes legislation. 

“This is essential for legal certainty so our property rights aren’t retroactively extinguished by future policy shifts,” she said.

She said environmental concerns could be addressed by creating green standards, requiring nontoxic and biodegradable cleaning products and the like.

Another resident, Johnny Emus, also outlined several objections to the legislation. He said he has rented a portion of his home as an Airbnb for nine years, with hundreds of clients.

“During this time we have not had a single complaint or quality of life issue raised from any neighbor at any point,” he said. “During these years I’ve had my neighbors use my rental for when they have had family and friends visiting and needed somewhere for them to stay close to their homes.” 

People coming for special events also have rented, as had locals who have had to move out of their own homes temporarily. So have people looking to relocate and see what the Lewisboro area is like.

“People visiting our area have no accommodation or hotel for these types of stays apart from short-term rentals,” he said. “These offer a valuable option which enhances the ongoing and sustainable future of our social fabric.”

Among those supporting the legislation was Linda Van Tassell Clark, who lives next to a home which has been used for short-term rentals. 

“I’m the one that’s dealing with the dog poo in the yard or the people who are walking up on my dock, things that really shouldn’t be done because the fact that the house host has not set rules and regulations,” she said.  “We need rules and regulations because it’s scary to see what goes on.”

Clark said there was a recent party held in a home next to her house. It ended up with 16 people plus dogs “and chaos running around,” she said. “I had to hide in my house.”

Clark said her family has owned her house for 75 years and problems in her area began when short-term rentals started.  “The problem is the hosts are not there,” she said.

Another supporter was Neal Blum, a lifelong Lewisboro resident since the 1950s. 

“I live on Lake Waccabuc. I care deeply about Lake Waccabuc,” he said. “I do believe there should be some regulations.”

“I live on the lake. I see a lot of things that I’m scared about,” Blum said.

Following the public comments, the board voted unanimously to close the public hearing and set a work session. If there are changes to the original legislation another public hearing will be held.

“We’ll go back and take a look at this and keep everyone posted,” Supervisor Tony Gonçalves said.

Police headquarters 

Also at this week’s meeting, the board voted unanimously to pay KG+D Architects $137,500 for a design proposal for a new town police headquarters.

The new police department building would be located on the property that currently contains the New York State police headquarters and the town highway department at 81 Spring St., South Salem. If the site was used for the new town police headquarters, the state police would move to another location.

The police are now on the campus of the former Lewisboro Elementary School.

“Although we outline multiple phases of the design and construction process, this proposal focuses on the next tasks to determining the viability and best course of action for a successful police station project,” KG+D principal Erik Kaeyer stated in his April 20 letter to Gonçalves.

“It will allow us to start the design work while we have the other work that’s being done in parallel with the [county] Health Department and KSCJ [consulting] with the site planning and the stormwater pollution plan,” Gonçalves said.

Town clerk honored

Gonçalves announced that Town Clerk Janet Donohue had been honored by the New York State Town Clerks Association.

Donohue recently received the organization’s Registered Municipal recertification. 

“This prestigious award recognizes the professional competency of Ms. Donohue in fulfilling the responsibilities of her office,” NYSTCA stated in its April 13 letter to the supervisor’s office. “Recertification is granted only after applicants have demonstrated that they have met the stringent education and experience requirements established by NTSTCA.”