Lewiston residents weigh in on short-term rentals
Nov. 29—LEWISTON — Town council members took plenty of time to gather residents' experiences and concerns with short-term rentals on Monday night.
More than an hour of a special hearing was spent listening to 25 residents and Airbnb hosts talk about the pros and cons of having such rentals operating in the town.
The hearing isn't a requirement as the town looks at possible regulations but it was something town officials wanted to gauge public opinion on.
A common issue brought up among those against short-term rentals was that they are commonly used as party houses that generate a lot of noise. Other issues were the property values of neighboring homes going down, decreasing available homes, an increased burden on public safety and the fact strangers are coming and going constantly from their neighborhoods.
Vincent Agnello of Briarwood Lane felt that owners were absent, just in it for the money, and could not do anything if guests violated rules.
Added Michelle Gentilucci of Chicora Road, "When I think about a house next door to me that's 35 feet away, transient neighbors that come and stay a couple of days and party and leave, and someone else comes in, I can't express the negative impact on my quality of life."
Councilwoman-elect Sarah Waechter and her husband own a short-term rental in the Town of Jerusalem near Keuka Lake, which she described as a resort community. For Lewiston, she feels such properties should only be allowed in business areas, not residential districts, and that the town looks at what other towns have in their codes for enforcement.
"It's one of those things you want to make it good and fair for everybody," Waechter said.
Of the 13 people speaking in favor of allowing short-term rentals, 10 operated one either in the Town or Village of Lewiston or Town of Porter. Their reasons for starting one were getting supplemental income and utilizing homes to their full potential, along with sharing. Some shared the positive reviews of their properties.
Holly Fiore of Lewiston Road said her Airbnb hosts families, a couple on their honeymoon and people making last-minute trips.
Carrie Bergey of Porter Center Road said her rentals brought in guests from all over the world and nothing goes unnoticed.
"Airbnb allows me to afford me to afford the property, invest in it, and improve it while having families come in and benefit the local area," said Alex Brennan of North Fifth Street, an Airbnb host since 2017. "I do believe that there should be some regulation on it."
The short-term rentals in the town have operated for years despite the town code, authored in the 1970s, not authorizing or regulating short-term rental use. The Town of Lewiston currently has a six-month moratorium on new short-term rentals starting operation that will expire in January.
The Village of Lewiston passed regulations on such properties earlier at the beginning of the year, capping the number operating, requiring operators to register with the village and setting up fees for operating.
No further action was taken after everyone spoke. Supervisor Steve Broderick pointed out that any action regarding short-term rentals will be taken after the first of the year when Waechter takes her seat on the board.
Any proposed laws regarding short-term rentals would require a formal public hearing before the town board makes a decision on it.
