NANTUCKET, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The future of short term rentals in Nantucket will be decided at next month’s Town Meeting.
A proposed zoning regulation called Article 60 would allow only full-time residents to rent out their properties.
The debate continues to rage on the island.
Article 60 was proposed by political action group ‘ACK Now’ whose members say they are concerned about rental properties owned by businesses and owners who have no personal interest in the island other than money.
Opponents say the by-law would have severe consequences on the island’s tourism industry as short-term rentals provide almost 90 percent of the island’s overnight lodging.
An independent analysis by UMass Donahue Institute says if Article 60 is passed, only 114 of the 2,293 rentals on the island would be eligible to rent.
That means about 95 percent of the short-term rentals currently available on the island would be taken off the market.
Also, if the by-law passes, it goes into effect retroactively eliminating nearly two thousand rentals already under agreement for the summer.
Attorney Bob McGlaughlin represents several property owners on Nantucket. He said if Article 60 passes, it would create chaos.
“People who expect to arrive at a short-term rental find out it’s now against the zoning by-law.”
The Town Meeting is scheduled for May 6.
WBZ's Tim Dunn (@ConsiderMeDunn) reports
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