Regarding the Joe Wojtas piece on STRs in Stonington, he did not point out the most important fact in this discussion, “Stonington prepares for second forum on short-term rentals,” (July 3).

When we talk about the business of Short-Term Rentals in residential zones, the conversation usually centers around the disruption they promote. But this misses the real crux of the matter, which is, that once a home becomes an STR, you have lost a neighbor. Over a period of time, you eviscerate a residential neighborhood for those who remain. This has become a nightmare for many communities since Airbnb has enabled extraordinary profits from buying up homes. A resident who rents out a part of a house or accessory apartment is an exception, because they remain a permanent part of the neighborhood.

The other aspect of this STR problem is: why even have residential zoning if commercial interests are allowed? It makes no sense. Government, especially local government, should be responsive to community needs for the greater good and not pander to divisive commercial opportunism. STRs simply do not belong in residential zones.

Bruce McDermott

Mystic