Economic development top priority in new year

Incoming Esopus Supervisor Shannon Harris considers economic development as the biggest priority in 2018.

ESOPUS, N.Y. » Incoming Supervisor Shannon Harris considers economic development as the biggest priority for 2018.

In a telephone interview Tuesday, Harris talked about the issue. She said existing zoning and economic planning committees are expected to play a significant role in guiding the town’s future.

“I think the most important thing we need to do is have our comprehensive plan updated,” she said. “The plan will deliver goals and targets for all of our volunteer boards and committees, as well as targets for the department heads.

“I will deliver different business development strategies that the Economic Development Committee can deploy in order to attract small businesses and diversify the industries that we have here.”

Town officials in June began evaluating results from more than 600 survey questionnaires that were submitted from residents who were asked what changes should be made to the comprehensive plan that guides zoning regulations.

“It will allow us to look more closely at the hamlets within the town so that we can start to develop a plan to revitalize and better connect them,” Harris said. “It’s very important to have our plan together, because it facilitates grant funding, so that’s the number one thing that I think will help everything else fall into place.”

Among issues that may take a different perspective under Harris will be how to develop rules governing short-term rentals. The incoming supervisor acknowledged being an AirBnB member who lists rentals.

“I don’t want to be biased about this. I want to do the right thing,” she said. “It seems what has been raised so far is a question about neighborly consideration and another question has been raised around taxes. The easy one is around taxes, because there’s really nothing to be done on that at this time ... (because) the county taxes AirBnBs and there’s a 2 percent tax rate with a form to be filled out.”

Harris said rules can be developed that can require inspections of short-term rental properties.

“We need to make sure that AirBnBs are safe,” she said. “I know that there’s lots of legislation on the books in other towns that delves deeper into government intervention between neighbors and making sure that people are operating AirBnBs in a way that takes into consideration for the neighborhood.”

There will also be reviews of how well the town uses its Hudson River shoreline as an economic tool.

“The Waterfront Advisory Committee has a clear path and a set of goals, short term and long term, so that they can look to develop the waterfront,” Harris said. “They can look to seek grants for waterfront development . ... It will help our Environmental Committee focus on connecting the different trails and preserves that they have fought hard for and work with non-profits like Scenic Hudson.”

“I think the most important thing we need to do is have our comprehensive plan updated. The plan will deliver goals and targets for all of our volunteer boards and committees, as well as targets for the department heads.” — Esopus Supervisor Shannon Harris