Groton — The Town of Groton is moving toward requiring the registration of short-term rentals, which some local officials have billed as a first step to find out how many short-term rentals are in the community and where they are located.

The proposed ordinance to require the registration of short-term rentals passed an initial vote by the Town Council at Tuesday’s Committee of the Whole meeting and is scheduled to go to a vote before the Council at its regular meeting on Aug 2.

The ordinance went to a public hearing last November after the Council formed a committee on short-term rentals.

People both for and against short-term rentals have spoken up, and the town hired a consulting firm, Horsley Witten Group, to research the issue. The Planning and Zoning Commission is considering potential zoning regulations and will hold a workshop on short-term rentals, among other topics, on Thursday.

Horsley Witten Group interviewed ten people in May, both short-term rental owners and people opposed to them or concerned about them, and presented its findings and outlined options for how the town could address issues in a memorandum.

“Interviewees opposed to STRs stated that they do not know their neighbors anymore and expressed concern that STRs are pricing long-term residents out of neighborhoods, leading to more transient guests,” the report said. “STR owner interviewees had different perspectives on their contributions to the community, saying that they had rehabilitated dilapidated houses; employed local businesses and residents; and brought in guests that benefit the local economy,” with some saying that the income allowed them to live in Groton. Both groups “expressed concerns about out-of-town corporations buying up properties to convert to STRs and mismanagement of STRs.”

Burt said the town has been working on the issue of short-term rentals periodically for several years, but has run into a lack of information on the number and location of short-term rentals. He said police cannot provide a history of complaints, since they are unaware of which homes are short-term rentals.

He said the majority of the council voted to move forward with the ordinance to get a better handle on any issues as a potential first step to something further at a later time.

“The Town takes any concerns regarding STRs seriously, and will continue to examine the issue as we move forward,” he said.

The registration would require information, including the name of the property owner, property address, contact information for the owner or owner’s agent and a plan showing available parking, according to the proposed ordinance. Owners also would have to provide information to renters.

Anyone who violates any provision of the ordinance would receive a written notice; second offenses within a year would draw a fine of $100 each; third offenses within a year would be $250; and fourth and additional offenses within a year would be $500.

Burt said there are several options for how to enforce the ordinance, including using zoning enforcement, police, or contracting it out to companies that specialize in short-term rentals. He said there will be further discussion of the best process.

The Council discussed options at Tuesday’s Committee of the Whole meeting and considered a proposed motion to schedule a joint meeting with the Planning and Zoning Commission and report back, and a proposed motion to schedule a joint meeting with the Planning and Zoning Commission and Economic Development Commission in addition to passing the ordinance, but the motions did not receive enough votes to pass.

Councilors ultimately voted 5-3, with one abstention, for a motion to approve the draft ordinance. Town Mayor Juan Melendez, Jr. and Councilors Melinda Cassiere, Juliette Parker, Rachael Franco and Bruce Jones voted in favor and Councilors Aundré Bumgardner, Portia Bordelon and Scott Westervelt voted against it. Councilor David McBride abstained.

As of now, the proposed ordinance would apply to the town, excluding the City of Groton, Groton Long Point, and Noank, said Jon Reiner, the town’s director of planning and development services.

If passed by the Council, the ordinance would next go to the Representative Town Meeting, which has the authority to veto the ordinance, Burt said. The ordinance would go into effect 45 days after adopted and published.

k.drelich@theday.com

GTshorttermrentals.pdf