The Town of Winthrop is seeking input on proposed new regulations for overnight rentals, and is inviting the public to fill out a form on the town’s website, www.townofwinthrop.com.
The questionnaire will be on the website through November, Town Planner Rocklynn Culp said.
The Winthrop Planning Commission hosted a public workshop on the issue of vacation rentals on Oct. 23 at the Winthrop Barn. The commission has been working on possible revisions to definitions, regulations and zoning affecting overnight rentals, in particular the conversion of existing homes to rentals.
In July, the Winthrop Town Council adopted a six-month moratorium on the issuance of business licenses for new “overnight/transient rentals.” The temporary moratorium was adopted because of a growing concern over a decline in the supply of rental and owner-occupied housing due to conversion of existing housing into overnight and short-term tourist accommodations.
Culp told the recent gathering at the Barn last week that the Planning Commission has been researching the issue extensively, looking at how other jurisdictions have handled the challenges of what she called the “sharing economy” in their communities.
Culp said the Planning Commission’s “fast-track” timeline is to continue working on the proposed changes in November, give them a final review in December, and send recommendations to the Town Council by next January. The current moratorium was adopted by the council in early July as an emergency action, at the recommendation of the Planning Commission.
For information about the proposals, email planner@townofwinthrop.com or call 996-2320.
