(Feb. 21, 2022) The Select Board will discuss a trio of warrant articles intended to address the ongoing debate over short-term vacation rentals on the island when it meets via Zoom Wednesday.
Board member Matt Fee believes the proposal to create a registration and regulation system for short-term rentals is a red herring that doesn’t address a much larger problem.
“It’s been portrayed that it’s about noise and we can take care of noise,” he said. “But it’s missing the bigger issue: the commercialization of our island. Where do year-rounders and workers live as the remaining neighborhoods are gentrified? Do we want an island where the majority of dwellings are private estates and mini hotels and the workers commute on the boat?”
Article 39 would create a registration system for the island’s estimated 2,000 short-term rentals through the Board of Health. Article 42 would codify short-term rentals as permissible in all island neighborhoods. Both received positive recommendations from the Finance Committee and Planning Board.
Article 43, proposed by political-action group ACK•Now’s Tobias Glidden, would limit short-term rentals to the primary properties of year-round residents, or through determination from the Zoning Board of Appeals that the rental was an accessory use to year-round housing. The FinCom and Planning Board are recommending voters take no action on the article.
All three will be up for a vote at the May 2 Annual Town Meeting.
The last time Select Board members Matt Fee and Jason Bridges hoped to discuss the articles, town counsel shut down the idea on the grounds that the board did not have a quorum. Two members, Melissa Murphy and Dawn Holdgate, recused themselves from the discussion because they work in real estate. Kristie Ferrantella was away from the board on maternity leave, but returned last week.
Wednesday’s meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom.
Click here to watch on YouTube.
Click here to register to participate by Zoom.
Click here for the complete agenda.
In other items on Wednesday's agenda, the Chamber of Commerce will ask the board for a permit to bring back the antique car parade and Sconset tailgate picnic, after two years without official Daffodil Weekend events.
The Chamber will request a waiver of the town’s open container bylaw for the tailgate, scheduled for Saturday, April 23 on Main Street in Sconset, as well as an event notification form through the state Department of Transportation for the parade from downtown Nantucket to Sconset over Milestone Road.
Director Jay Craven is also requesting a permit from the board to film a new period piece called “Lost Nation” on town property from March 14-April 8. His proposal includes blocking town streets and sidewalks for film crews and sets, a waiver of the town noise bylaw for several dates, and a film permit.
Town licensing administrator Amy Baxter is recommending board approval on the condition that neighboring residents and businesses are notified of filming in advance, parking spots must be approved by the Nantucket Police Department, and Craven must “ensure that there is a minimum of disruption to residents, occupants, businesses and town employees where filming occurs.”
“Lost Nation” is Craven’s fourth film shot on Nantucket, and 10th overall. His previous film, “Martin Eden,” another period piece, was shot on the island in March 2019.
Town administration is also accepting applications to fill a vacant alternate seat on the Planning Board. Applications are due Friday, Feb. 25 at noon in the town administration office.
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February 22, 2022 at 02:49AM
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Short-term rental discussion at Select Board Wednesday - The Inquirer and Mirror
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