Public has its say on short-term rentals

The Village Board has asked a committee to review proposed changes to short-term rental laws before moving forward with updates to bed-and-breakfast rules in the village zoning code.

A public hearing Tuesday on the issue attracted 17 speakers from an audience of about 40 people.

“My biggest concern is to have everybody who is involved in a bed and breakfast be on an even playing field,” said Pat Strong, owner of Chestnut Suite Bed and Breakfast. “I feel that, right at the moment and for several years, it has not been so. I know lots of people do not pay Dutchess County’s 4 percent bed tax, which has been an official tax for many years, and many do not pay ... sales tax.”

Some speakers raised concerns that there are properties being bought by investors expressly to rent the houses through online services such as Airbnb.

Under the proposed changes, property owners who rent homes or rooms through such services would be required to get site plan approval and a special use permit. Among the requirements would be property owners living on site when homes are rented and guest stays being limited to 30 days.

Local resident Vicky Holt told the Village Board that Airbnb has given her financial security and that she would have to alter her rentals if required to live on the premises.

“The basement on my South Street house is an Airbnb,” she said. “It is a primary source of income. I am not there every day, but I am there a lot.”

Several people said short-term rentals serve a purpose in the village because there is not enough lodging during popular events at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds. Resident Delyse Berry, who manages rental properties, said the availability of rooms and houses gives the village an opportunity to bolster the local economy.

“The people staying in these homes [leave] with such strong impressions about this community [and] about these businesses,” she said. “Allowing us homeowners to also thrive and create our businesses is so valuable and really needs to be heard.”

Several people said they want to give the committee an opportunity to compromise with new regulations.

“This version cannot be the final,” said resident Kevin Curry. “If we believed it was the final, we would be making a protest. We think it’s a start.”