Mr. Willard’s statement, “we are trying to bend to meet the needs of the wedding industry in our town,” quoted in the Jan. 13 edition of The Highlander is unfair and reflects bias in the process of trying to come to a solution for short term rentals that, I hope, will be put aside as this difficult issue is being processed through our town government.
Short term rentals would have grown in Highlands regardless, as shown by short term rental growth across the nation in tourist areas. It should come as no surprise that Highlands is and has been in the tourism/accommodations industry since its founding. Many of our families, friends and neighbors are supported by tourism in Highlands.
Appreciatively, most of our tourists, renters, and second homeowners are people who contribute to our community through our economy, philanthropy, friendship, and cultural exchange. Many members of our community were originally introduced to Highlands by a visit, and then decided to purchase a home at some point because of our unique and tight knit community.
Watching the growth over the years, it has been a mixture of different businesses and development that has made Highlands the town we are now. Regardless of whether you believe short term rentals should be allowed at all, left unregulated, or something in between; the accelerated demand for this type of business is the real underlying issue.
Let’s please keep perspective and refrain from placing blame on any person, business, industry, government, or organization for the current growing pains. The STR issue has developed slowly over the years as a natural result of technological changes in our society. Our town government should steer the process of regulating these rentals in an unbiased and fair manner.
Thank you, to the members of the town board and planning board, for volunteering your time.
- Derek Taylor
Highlands