HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 24, 2022 14 ART W .,
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ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF NONVOTING TAXPAYERg022 Nov -g Am II: .3
Minutes of Public meeting 10 A.M., SATURDAY, September 24,2022 via Zoom
1. Attending members: Kathy Baird, Gary Beller, Bill Gardner, Don
Greene, Peter Halle, and Peter Kahn. Members absent: Lou Bassano and
Bill Sherman. A quorum was present.
2. Chair Peter Halle opened the meeting at 10:04 a.m., Kathy Baird read the
script for town Zoom meetings and with a quorum present, the agenda
for today's meeting and draft minutes for the September 3, 2022 meeting
were both approved by roll call vote.
3. Peter Halle, Gary and Peter Kahn noted several potential new members
who are planning to submit applications for appointment to the ACNVT.
4. Peter welcomed the members and began the discussion regarding STR •
Working Group (STRWG) Objectives and ACNVT's role and positions
regarding it, per the approved agenda for this meeting.
5. Peter Halle noted that ACNVT has not taken any position other than that
any regulation not discriminate against non-voting taxpayers.
6. Gary noted Matt Fee's concern that more year round residents should
have been appointed. Dave Iverson (Planning Board) countered by
noting the seasonal residents paid the large majority of residential
property taxes. Peter K. noted that the group is still tasked to come up
with balanced regulations. Peter H. noted that the final say will be that
of the voters and did not see a big disconnect between the views of
ACNVT and those of year round residents (Select Board and voters) in
regard to STRs.
7. Members discussed the STRWG need for data for decision-making.
Concern was voiced about the STRWG needing to first agree on the
problem definition. It appears to be more an issue of over-development
that has led to traffic congestion and noise, possibly exacerbating the
affordable housing shortage. No data yet provided points to STRs as a
major cause. Several suggestions for data needed to define the problem
were noted along with concern that the data that will be collected
through the registration process will not be immediately available. For
example, 'What% of the population on Nantucket during the busy
season are staying in an STR and if so, how many cars did they bring?'
Peter Halle suggested that data mining could provide that information
and also define the lodging capacity of hotels and B&Bs vs. STRs and
31+ day rentals. Gary suggested that data showing the link between
STRs and diminished affordable housing must be proven to be a
considered a factor by the group. Peter K. indicated that knowing the
price point for affordable homes vs. those that turned into STRs would
be valuable. Peter K. also suggested absentee ownership with non-
responsive owners is difficult to control legally. Kathy noted that data
about party or event restrictions could be helpful. Peter H. suggested that
requiring another permit for large events as now is required for tents.
8. Members discussed the use of the STR registration fee for the
administration and enforcement of the STR regulations.
9. Don asked members to report on STR experiences from their
neighborhoods (e.g. operating or being a neighbor to an STR).
10.Current litigation was discussed regarding the `right to rent',
grandfathering and fractional ownership rental models.
11.A short discussion ensued on Nantucket's unique situation with a century
of STR history and that solutions elsewhere may not be applicable. Also
noted are: (a)the impact of COVID, and(b) how much easier it is to get
to the island(increased flights and fast ferry services) among other
growth related contributors. Understanding all of the causes of over-
development need to be identified along with their relative contribution
so that impacts of solutions can be evaluated in that context. Since the
-STRWG's initial focus is to consider STR zoning regulations, members
should learn more about zoning. It was also agreed that very specific
language should be defined/used and the seasonal workforce needs to be
considered as well as the local business impact of regulating STRs.
12.The `On-Site Person' regulation was discussed as this is the item that
may satisfy the potential `interstate commerce violation' despite it being
more difficult and expensive to meet for off island STR homeowners.
13.Unless an urgent issue arises, it was agreed to hold our next meeting at
LOAM on October 29 to focus on the STRWG progress (first joint
meeting is 4-8PM on October 11 via Zoom (open to the public))with.
individual interviews between members and the moderators underway.
14.Members agreed to track citizens articles as they are published. Gary
noted the one-day delay in the town's submittal of zoning/home rule
items to the State Attorney General has re-opened the right to file
objections. These items included the Article 78 modifications to the town
charter which increased the signature requirements from 10 to 50 voters
on citizens warrant articles and the addition of Town Moderator
discretion in recognizing non-voting taxpayers to speak at town meeting.
15.There was a motion, seconded and approved by roll call to adjourn the
meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 11:46 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Baird, Secretary
The following link represents the recording of this meeting located on the Town of
Nantucket YouTube website. https://youtu.be/mUmOT_RGiww '