Planning Board Delays Barnstable Short-Term Rental Vote

BARNSTABLE, MA — The Barnstable Planning Board voted to delay a vote on a short-term rental zoning amendment, following contentious disagreements from residents.

If approved, the amendment would allow short-term rentals within all parts of town. It would also ban parking at short-term rentals from being on any landscaped or cultivated area between a road and the building.

Most residents and town officials against the proposal argued it is too broad, would allow rentals anywhere in town and would destroy the small-town character of neighborhoods. Others said the proposed amendment is too strict because it would require rental owners to be available seven days a week. It would also limit them to owning no more than two short-term rental properties in town. Assistant Town Manager Andy Clyburn said the proposal doesn't change where rentals are allowed, as they are already permitted in every zoning district in Barnstable.

But Town Councilor David Bogan argued the proposal was disingenuous. He argued five of the town's seven civic associations wrote letters in opposition to the amendment. He also said just one consultant was hired to help with the proposal, but the zoning subcommittee did not adopt any of its suggestions.

Planning Board member Jeffrey Swartz then asked Bogan why he didn't recuse himself from the issus because him and his wife Heath Hunt had sued the town. Hunt is also involved with Barnstable Watch, a group that advocates for restricting short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods.

Bogan said he consulted both town counsel and the Massachusetts State Ethics Comission before getting involved with the zoning issue.

"I dropped that lawsuit so that I could engage in this discussion," Bogan said. "It was for that reason that I did not have a conflict that required that I recuse myself."

Hyannis resident Ralph Krau said the amendment had too many gray areas, especially with parking. He was worried that renters would not only have their own cars but could also invite guests who would also come in their own cars.

Martin MacNeely, of Marstons Mills, said he was in favor of the amendment because it's been discussed extensively for months. He also said short-term rentals aren't going to suddenly increase because of this zoning proposal; the rentals are already in town.

"The vast majority of short-term rentals are not a problem," MacNeely said. "There are a few, obviously, like with any group."

MacNeely added that the Town Council should adopt regulations for those that rental owners who do happen to cause problems.

"You should not be penalizing the majority of people because of a few select," he said.

The Planning Board will continue the public hearing on July 27. The amendment will then go on to the Town Council. If the council rejects the amendment, it cannot be brought up again for at least two years.