Well, it was only a matter of time. After the city council implemented uniform zoning regulations regarding short-term rental units, neighbors took it upon themselves to pay their neighbors a penny for running Airbnbs and other similar units from their homes. properties.
As Daily News reporter Jim Sullivan tracked, City Council in September was unable to come to a decision on a proposed rezoning that would have required owners of short-term rentals to live in their homes for at least 183 days a year and to register them. with the state and the city. The amendment would also have stated that the primary use of properties should be a single-family, two-family, or multi-family home; and tenants would be allowed to stay for a maximum of 32 days. The rules did not include Plum Island units.
Without the rezoning, these rental units are essentially not permitted. This opened the door for neighbors opposed to being forced to become Airbnb’s police. That’s what happened on Lime Street when three scorers complained about an Airbnb operated by Lisa Freeman and Pam Doherty.
The city sent a Zoning Violation and Enforcement Order Sept. 28 telling Freeman and Doherty that if they continued to run their rental unit, they could be fined up to $300 a day.
In response, Doherty and Freeman appealed the order, saying the city was employing “selective enforcement” because it does not target what they say are 200 other short-term rentals in the city. While the other landlords received a general letter on Sept. 30 saying “no one should assume their short-term rental is permitted for permitted residential use,” they were ordered to close, they said. underline. They also claim that because they live on the property, they would have been qualified to handle the tenancy if zoning laws had been passed.
“We have very respectful families, including children and dogs rented to us,” their letter adds.
The quote gets to the heart of the matter here: a lot of people just don’t want short-term rentals in their neighborhood.
People’s angst is understandable given that there are plenty of horror stories about absentee owners renting out their units for bachelor parties, rock n’ roll recording sessions and the like. disturbing reasons. The already crowded and narrow streets become all the more clogged with cars belonging to complete strangers. It can be destabilizing for sure. Airbnb landlords in Newburyport and Plum Island should be vigilant when screening potential tenants. A couple looking to spend a romantic weekend in a beautiful coastal town, check it out. A family of four in town for a graduation, of course. Indeed, it is imperative that Airbnb owners be particularly respectful of the neighborhood.
Other arguments against them include fewer long-term rentals in the city and declining property values.
But let’s be real, this is another case of NIMBYism. As one opponent of short-term rentals said in a phone call, she doesn’t want to see her neighborhood change. She has lived there for decades and the thought of strangers in her corner of the country worries her.
As for the economics, even if there were more long-term rentals available, landlords would likely price them out of most people’s price range. A few months ago, a landlord offered to rent out his house for $9,000 a month. Ouch! Finding an apartment for less than $2,000 in the city is nearly impossible. Let’s face it, Newburyport is an affluent community and it’s extremely difficult, if not downright impossible, for many people to afford to live here. Getting rid of short-term rentals wouldn’t change that.
When it comes to falling property values, it’s hard to believe that any part of Newburyport would see a drop, given how desirable it is to live here.
Instead of complaining about the perceived loss of privacy or declining property values, aggrieved scorers should pressure city officials to build a downtown hotel. For months, there has been serious momentum towards achieving this goal. But when Steven Karp ended his Waterfront West development plans, so did the idea for a hotel. Unfortunately, there seems to be little appetite to return to this path. But the Newburyporters are a vocal group, they don’t sit on the sidelines. If they want something done, they will make a lot of noise. If locals exert enough pressure on city leaders, they will listen.
Finally, imagine what 200 rooms would do for downtown: it would reduce the need for short-term rentals in many neighborhoods, as well as be a boon to area restaurants and shops. Why it might even fill the city parking lot on days when it’s not snowing. That’s a better outcome than having neighbors turn on neighbors, which is exactly what’s happening right now.
Dave Rogers is the editor of the Daily News.
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