Election season began in full swing this week as Democratic candidates running in the upcoming Southold Town race issued a statement regarding their thoughts on the proposed short term rental issue — and the GOP responded.
Damon Rallis, hoping to unseat incumbent Town Supervisor Scott Russell, as well as his fellow Dem candidates for town board Albie de Kerillis and Debbie O’Kane, issued the joint statement.
“For more than a year, the Southold Town Board has discussed legislation aimed at addressing short term rentals within the Town of Southold,” the statement reads. “Through various drafts and proposals, the town board has fallen short of addressing the true needs of our community. It is our opinion that the current draft proposal is not only unenforceable, but can have a negative impact on our local economy and the community at large.”
The three offered their own draft proposal, a “starting point” they say can most effectively address the issue.
“Throughout this entire discussion, my position has been consistent,” Rallis said. “As a fifteen-year New York State certified code enforcement official and Southold Town’s former code enforcement officer, I can assure you that this proposed legislation is unenforceable and a rental permit process is the only way to tackle this important issue.”
Highlights of the draft include a short term rental permit process with provisions for safety inspections, occupancy limits, the payment of county taxes, limits on the number of permits issued, and registry requirements to create a comprehensive rental law that is not only reasonable, but enforceable, they say.
“This is an issue that can certainly divide a community,” O’Kane added. “We have worked hard to come up with a comprehensive solution that addresses the needs of all community members.”
“The key to good legislation is the town’s ability to enforce it,” De Kerillis said. “The town’s current draft is unenforceable. I think that my running mates and I have come up with a real solution here.”
In their statement, the candidates say that the revenue generated from a short term rental permit process can be used to “hire additional code enforcement staff, if necessary, or perhaps be placed into a dedicated fund for future affordable housing initiatives. We believe that this is the type of proactive approach that town government should be taking when addressing the unique issues we face here in Southold Town.”
To read the entire statement and a draft outline of the candidates’ alternative approach to short term rental housing, click here.
In response, Southold Town GOP Party Chair Peter McGreevy stated, “It is sadly coincidental and somewhat specious that the Democrats are appearing at the eleventh hour of a discussion with a proposal that is largely duplicative of the one that an attorney, and former unsuccessful Democratic party candidate for office, is currently being paid to lobby for on behalf of commercial rental interests in our town.”
Cutchogue attorney Abigail Field, who ran unsuccessfully for Southold Town trustee in the past election, is representing a group of property owners who say the short-term rental legislation could severely impact their ability to earn needed-income to help pay for their homes; many of them are second home owners.
“This issue involves the commercialization of our residential neighborhoods, and the very day-to-day quality of life in Southold,” McGreevy said. “The town board has obviously considered every aspect and impact of the proposed law, and involved the public in the discussion along the way. I trust that they will arrive at a suitable resolution to the matter.”
Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said there have been numerous committee meetings and two public hearings so far. “Our opponents did not participate in any of the discussions. They only now offer a solution that is a word-for-word position that has already been espoused by the attorney hired to represent the owners of short-term rentals. I am glad that they finally decided to become part of the discussion.”
Russell added that the board has heard testimony that the property owners have “a deep commitment to this community. I agree with that sentiment. What our opponents suggest is these owners will turn into scoundrels that will flout and new code they don’t agree with. That’s a very cynical view.”
The Dems’ solution, he added, would require verification of conditions such as payment of taxes, compliance of occupancy, and annual inspections.
“How would such a cumbersome law be easier to enforce than the proposed draft code? The current code already does not permit transient rentals in our residential zones. The proposed code simply seeks to further clarify the definition of ‘transient rental’. Their suggestion that we start allowing commercial uses in the residential zones at the expense of our residents quality of life all in the name of tourism dollars would establish a dangerous precedent. Now that they have finally decided to become part of the discussion, I would urge them to come to the next board meeting and share their thoughts prior to the vote.”
An almost four hour public hearing was held on the short term rental issue this week, to discuss proposed legislation that would restrict the minimum number of nights for a short term rental to 14.
