Short-Term Rentals Focus of Public Hearing Thursday Night in Greenport

GREENPORT, NY — The hot button issue of short term rentals will once again be under discussion Thursday night in Greenport.

At Thursday's Greenport Village board of trustees meeting, a public hearing will be held regarding amending Chapter 103 of the village code to incorporate legislation regarding short term rentals.

Greenport Village Mayor George Hubbard has released an early draft of the proposed changes; highlights include requiring permits for short term rentals under the village's rental legislation — currently, they are exempt — and working to remove the red tape from the process.

In addition, Greenport Village Trustee Doug Roberts has proposed a cap on short-term rentals at 20 percent of all rentals village wide, with an eye toward ensuring reasonably priced rental housing remains available for year round residents..

Robert said there are 1,008 properties in the village, with 1,175 residential housing units, including two-story homes. The estimated number of rental units discussed in reference to rental permit law discussions a few years ago was between 250 to 350, including short- and long-term rentals, he said. Roberts said he's also heard it estimated by village staff that there could be 50 or more short term rentals in the village.

Since the tide of public opinion seems to indicate a consensus that owner-occupied short-term rentals are acceptable, those would get priority in the permitting process, Roberts said.

The remaining property owners would need to enter a lottery for the right to operate a STR, he said.

"For those who argue that they should be able to 'do what they please' with their property, the zoning code in any municipality absolutely sets reasonable limits on what people can and can not do with their properties," the trustee said.

As for those with fears of businesses operating in residential neighborhoods, Roberts said there is a precedent in the village legalizing and regulating business activities in such communities.

With the "sharing economy" growing at a rapid rate worldwide, Roberts said the upside to regulating STRs, with safety standards, is that just outlawing them completely might present an enforcement challenge and result in a the "same or greater number of STRs in the village than if we cap and regulate."

Roberts held a focus group last year in Greenport to discuss the issue; he said the idea of a $500 fee raised no eyebrows" with any STR landlord present; that number could possibly even go to $1,000, covering enforcement efforts and paying for any overhead in managing a permit process, he said.

Roberts and Trustee Jack Martilotta convened a group of local industry leaders, including CEOs of some of the area's largest employers. Feedback reflected a desire to reduce red tape on new projects and to increase rental housing opportunities for employees, he said.

In addition, Roberts said, the results of a recent housing study conducted by St. Joseph’s College students are still being reviewed, "though it is safe to say the data show an overwhelming majority of respondents believe the village should do something to improve access to reasonably priced rental housing. This matches a regional trend seen in many news stories and research papers in recent months."

The public hearing takes place at 7 p.m. at the Third Street Firehouse in Greenport.