Stonington moves toward short-term rental registration and housing reserve after committee recommendations

Selectmen heard committee recommendations and advanced next steps on short-term rental regulation while continuing separate efforts to build housing reserves.

At the Aug. 15 meeting the short-term rental committee delivered a PowerPoint overview and recommendations for balanced growth and next steps. The committee highlighted differences between owner-occupied rentals and full-time short-term units and suggested registration, nominal fees and potential ordinance language.

Board members thanked the committee and instructed staff and the Planning Board to start drafting necessary documents for a public hearing in the fall. Earlier, at the Oct. 3 discussion, the board leaned toward pursuing a registration and fee system rather than immediate punitive measures for year-round rentals.

Separately, selectmen reviewed using proceeds from tax-acquired property sales to create a $100,000 housing reserve for planning and scoping housing options, and discussed timing for a March town meeting to enable nominations and voter action.

Next steps: staff and the Planning Board will draft ordinance language and fee schedules and present them for public hearing; selectmen will also place housing reserve planning on future agendas in coordination with SEDC and regional partners.