Woodstock prepping laws to deal with Airbnb quality-of-life problems – The Daily Freeman




WOODSTOCK, N.Y. >> The Town Board expects to begin reviewing proposed laws next month that aim to crack down on short-term rentals booked through websites like Airbnb.com.

At a board meeting Tuesday, town officials were divided in their assessments of the impacts the rentals have had on the community.

“The B&B (bed and breakfast) situation has definitely brought an upside, a positive to the area, as far as boosting the economy, people coming, shopping, spending the time here,” Supervisor Bill McKenna said. “There’s [also] a real downside — making your life miserable.”

RELATED CONTENT: ‘Village of Rhinebeck revises B&B law, establishes outdoor noise limits,’ Sept. 13, 2017


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McKenna’s comments were addressed to Yerry Hill Road resident Duff Allen, who implored the board to take action against property owners who allow renters to disturb neighbors.

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“My road has cars going up and down … [at] 50, 60 miles per hour,” he said.

Councilman Jay Wenk disagreed with contentions that short-term rentals are an economic boost.

“This idea of an upside to the economy is, in my opinion, wishful thinking,” he said. “Certainly, the landlords are making some money, so that’s an upside to them. Unless these people who are renting and having great parties are also spending a lot of time, significant time, in town [patronizing businesses] … then I wouldn’t say there’s anything much about an upside to the economy.”

Wenk suggested the town have police visit “these known law breakers and bust their chops.”

Councilwoman Cathy Magarelli noted town regulations already prohibit the use of houses as B&Bs if a property owner is not living on the premises.

“If the owner isn’t present, it’s against our current law,” she said. “We are trying to put more money into the Building Department to have more enforcement of the laws we have.”

Councilman Richard Heppner said the proposed laws are expected to include permit fees that will cover the cost of enforcement.

“What we’re looking at, for example, is the number of cars based on the number of bedrooms,” he said. “We’re looking at, specifically, homes that are rented out [that aren’t] owner-occupied.”

Heppner said the proposed law also would require inspections and be accompanied by noise ordinances.

“I realize that doesn’t help you this weekend or next weekend, but we’re trying to get there,” he said.

The village of Rhinebeck also has been grappling with the issue of regulating short-term rentals. In September, the Village Board passed new regulations for B&Bs while continuing to investigate regulation of short-term rentals offered on Airbnb.com and similar websites.