Thank you for your series of articles about what some other towns are doing to manage short-term rentals.
It is good journalism and an interesting addition to the ongoing dialogue about how to handle the problem.
I began engaging with the Town about this over three years ago which was only one or two years after STRs really started appearing on the plateau. They were just becoming a problem in my neighborhood so, like you, I started doing some research about them and found that dozens and dozens of cities and towns who had the problem of STRs in neighborhoods had already implemented solutions for their towns.
In fact, in one my earliest written communications with town officials I implored the Town to look to the experience of other towns and use that as a guide. A key part of my communication at that time was:
“Other quality communities have already addressed this problem (and those) that decided to protect the interests of residents and neighborhoods banned STRs in certain areas. It would be naïve of anyone to think that Highlands can develop a solution on its own ignoring the examples from many, many other towns most of which have far more resources than our town.”
In another communication I provided examples from 24 cities that had banned STRs in areas reserved for neighborhoods. That was in early 2019. By now there are hundreds of cities that have addressed this and that can be used as a guide.
My input to the town continues to be the same. Use the examples of towns that have gone before us, like Carmel, Asheville, Charleston, Blowing Rock, and many others and please solve this growing problem for our residents so that there is someplace for us to live with other neighbors.
Thanks again to The Highlander for the great series.
James Worrell
Highlands