STR groups have differing opinions on compromise

With the end of the short-term rental situation in Highlands having no end in sight, last week Highlands Mayor Patrick Taylor wrote in his weekly newspaper column asking groups in the community to come up with a proposal for compromise.

“Some folks have told me that a compromise needs to be found concerning short-term rentals,” Taylor wrote. “So far, there has been criticism from all sides of the issue directed toward town commissioners. If there is a compromise to be found, I urge organizations like Save Highlands, the Highlands Neighborhood group, the realtors of Highlands, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce, town merchants and the tourist advocates, or any nonprofit group to come together, or put forth unilaterally, a proposed compromise concerning short-term rentals. In short, what does the Save Highlands group see as a compromise position that the town should approve? What is the position of the Neighborhood group, etc.? As mayor, I am open to receive proposed compromises. My only requirement is to share any compromise for full public review.”

Both of the groups fighting for and against short-term rentals in Highlands’ neighborhoods had differing opinions on compromising with one another.

Save Highlands said they were willing to compromise with another group, stating they have steadily asked for a seat at the negotiating table.

“Save Highlands recently read Mayor Taylor’s comments urging us to come together with the Highlands Neighborhood Coalition, as well as other interested parties, for the purpose of discussing a compromise on the short-term rental ordinance amendment,” the group said in a statement. “As always, Save Highlands remains ready and willing to negotiate the terms of the amendment with any party who extends the invitation. Indeed, Save Highlands has steadily asked for a seat at the negotiating table since the issue arose last fall, though our requests have been largely overlooked. Save Highlands welcomes the opportunity to engage in efforts to compromise with the Highlands Neighborhood Coalition, or with any other group or individual seeking a middle ground to accommodate the interest of all Highlanders.”

"It is not our role to play any part in compromising or negotiating a settlement between the parties."

- Cathy Henson, President of the Highlands Neighborhood Coalition

On the other side, the Highlands Neighborhood Coalition said it is not their role to play any part in compromising or negotiating a settlement between parties.

“In response to Mayor Taylor’s question, the Highlands Neighborhood Coalition responded directly to the Mayor and once again articulated its position that there should be no short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods,” Cathy Henson, president of HNC said. “Save Highlands is part of a group suing (or funding a lawsuit - it is not exactly clear who, or what, Save Highlands is) the Town of Highlands over the short-term rentals issue. HNC is not a party to that lawsuit. This fact, however, has not stopped the Plaintiff’s attorney from filing an open records request to obtain all communications between individually named members of HNC and Town officials, an act we view as harassment, plain and simple. It is not our role to play any part in compromising or negotiating a settlement between the parties. That is for the litigants and their lawyers to do. Our role is to advocate for the residents of Highlands who do not want short-term rentals in their residential neighborhoods.”

Today, there is a special meeting of the Highlands Town Board of Commissioners that kicks off another round of proposed amendment changes to the Uniformed Development Ordinance.

Leading up to the meeting, the town’s new attorney Bob Hagermann of Poyner Spruill produced a draft of amendment changes that he had been working on with the board’s working group. In a closed session, the board asked Hagermann to create draft proposals for final review.

“The goal of this meeting is to review a draft that was produced by our attorney and then decide what we will ask the planning to review,” Taylor said. “We are hoping to make a decision in this meeting so the planning board will have 10 days to review it before their official meeting. If the board can’t completely agree, then this could carry over to our next meeting. I want to emphasize this; whatever we pass in that meeting, it will go on to the planning board so they can give a recommendation, then when we have the public hearing, the public can participate. As I’ve said, if things don’t go as planned, and any one group needs more time, we’ll take more time.”

- By Christopher Lugo