| Key West Neighborhood Associations |
The Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce is gathering its members' opinions on reversing a ban on short-term vacation rentals in the family neighborhoods of unincorporated Monroe County, and -- not surprisingly -- the business community seems to overwhelmingly support such a move. The chamber is looking out for the interests of its membership by testing the waters and building support to make a case to county government. Though the chamber board has indicated it will continue to seek input, there is little doubt the chamber's final statement will be to advocate on behalf of property managers, rental-property owners and tourist-driven businesses for legalizing short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods. What seems to be lacking in the equation are the concerns of residents in neighborhoods that would be affected by a change in law. "There are a lot of people who are adamantly against it," said Monroe County Mayor George Neugent, whose district encompasses parts of the Lower Keys. "[The chamber needs to] host a series of meetings with the general public who will be impacted by this to get their feelings." We not only share Neugent's concerns with the current lack of public input, but we also recognize that such input is the rental advocates' greatest obstacle to changing the law. In fact, it has been public input that has defeated repeated efforts in the past to open this problematic door. Some years ago, when the county's enforcement of vacation-rental regulations was at best lax, rental managers and second-home owners attempted to codify what already was occurring illegally. The result was an outcry from working citizens who were tired of losing sleep to late-night parties, tired of trash and traffic generated by vacationers with no stake in this community, tired of having their residentially zoned neighborhoods and their families' lives disrupted by commercial activity. Breaking down the barriers between tourism-related commerce and quiet family neighborhoods buffered from noise and traffic by zoning regulations clearly leveraged the profits of a few against residents' quality of life. We're sure Mayor Neugent remembers those angry voices well. When the county stood firm on this and other land-use issues, an incorporation effort was organized in the Lower Keys. That effort failed to gain adequate public support, and the issue faded for a few years. But the vacation-rental business is far more profitable than long-term residential rentals, and a sagging economy has provided an excellent opportunity to make another charge at the gates. And while we understand the business community's desire to increase income during these lean times, it should not be at the expense of others. The divisive issue of short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods is a Pandora's box. The chamber has a right to reopen it, but it should take care to keep fingers clear when the Keys' full-time residents slam it shut again. -- The Citizen |
| Editorial from the Key West Citizen, May 8, 2009 Divisive rental issue is making a comeback |
| Editor's note: A now-forgotten economic study made during the county-wide struggle to control transient rentals showed that vacation rentals are NOT far more profitable than long-term residential rentals. Lower Keys businesses might benefit from more local tourists, but where, oh where will "regular people" live? Ocala, perhaps? |
| Ed. note: Hoo-boy! Another series of endless meetings, and if you don't participate, your silence will be seen as implying your consent! |