To the editor:
The STR [Short Term Rental] regulation currently proposed In Lenox is the product of a flawed process, lacking empirical evidence of the alleged problems it is trying to solve, and providing no economic analysis of its likely impact on our business community, our home owners, and our town’s tax base. This regulation was heavily influenced by the B&B owners, and does not serve Lenox as a whole. It will do nothing to solve the problems it claims exist; will damage our local restaurants, retail, construction, and service industries; will forego potential tax revenues, will limit our ability to create affordable housing, and will create a regulatory and enforcement nightmare for the town. I oppose it strongly.
Families are a vital part of Lenox. STR is beneficial to families in Lenox, and can make living in Lenox more affordable for the average family. Homeowners use the income they earn from their STR to maintain their homes, and shop in our stores.
Second homeowners are a vital part of Lenox and have been here since the 1800’s. They shop in our stores, eat in our restaurants, visit our cultural institutions, and require our services. STR provides second homeowners income to maintain their homes. Any regulation that restricts their ability to STR their homes will damage our community
Tourists are a vital part of Lenox, important to much more than the hotels and B&B’s. They shop in our stores, eat in our restaurants, visit our cultural institutions, and require our services. Tourist families looking to vacation in our community should be embraced. Families on vacation want to stay in homes. A family of tourists this year may be next year’s new transplant. Restricting a family’s ability to rent homes in Lenox will simply drive them to other locations.
STR did not create our affordable housing crunch, but it offers a solution to it. The affordable housing crunch has existed for decades. Taxing STR can help finance a solution.
I support any legislation that allows for collection of a room tax equivalent on short-term rentals, especially if the tax is used to fund affordable housing and or education. I oppose any legislation that seeks to restrict a homeowner’s ability to rent a home for short terms to people who would use it in a way consistent with a typical 1- and 2-family home.
Jim Harwood
34 Walker St.
Lenox
