The issue of how and if short term rentals in Madison should be allowed was at the forefront of the citizen’s comments portion of the Board of Selectman (BOS) meeting last week. In the first in person BOS meeting in two years, the entire crowd was composed of residents opposed to short term rentals and seeking a response from the board.

The issue centers on the disturbances some renters impose on the neighborhoods and the associated traffic and large numbers of people coming in and out of the smaller road areas of town. Several residents spoke to the board about their concerns, which in essence centers on the length of time for which homes should be rented and on measures that could mitigate the number of people allowed in rental situations.

Residents related several incidents of trespassing, loud parties, traffic, fast vehicles, and confrontations with renters who come in for a week and reportedly disrupt the quality of life for the affected neighborhoods.

Residents cited the ordinances of several area towns that have dealt with the same issue. Some municipalities have addressed the problem by forbidding weekly rentals and imposing a month-minimum rental restriction.

Resident Linda Marino spoke of the “huge burden” these rentals are imposing on her Middle Beach neighborhood.

Short term rentals “are changing the character of our neighborhoods,” Marino said. “It is because of the advent of these platforms like AirBnB and Vacation Rental By Owner [VRBO] where we have groups of people coming in on a weekly basis, filling up these houses, parking cars all over the place, [and] having parties and it’s just uncontrolled, unregulated, and I don’t even think it’s permitted under Town of Madison regulations. We clearly need an ordinance to ban this. Because we are completely threatening the character of our town if we permit this to keep happening.”

First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons said the board is deeply concerned by the complaints and is currently reviewing several solutions to address the issues.

“I think the board recognizes that certain neighborhoods in town have been impacted more than others,” said Lyons. “We understand the concern of residents and we want to do a thorough review of what options might be available to the town in terms of pursuing some way to mitigate the conflicts. Different towns throughout and the state and throughout the country have taken differing paths to address these issues and I think we need to figure out what works for Madison. And be fair, both to the property owners that use these rentals, as well as the neighbors impacted by it.”

Selectman Bruce Wilson said that he is also disturbed by the resident reports and is confident that a solution can found that will protect renters, who in some cases rely on this extra source of revenue and who properly conduct rentals, and also the residents who must live in close proximity to rentals.

“The issue of short term rentals really came to light for me when I was knocking on doors for the campaign last year,” Wilson said. “I was a little surprised to hear it had become an issue. These rental platforms [grew] much, much quicker than Madison’s public policy on this type of thing. Madison has always had a quiet but thriving seasonal rental market, but not at this scale, and these short-term type of rentals being discussed now.

“From what I gather it’s the absentee owners, the owners who are not physically present, that are problems at least as far as the neighbors are concerned,” he continued. “In talking with people who want to see responsible policy, and I think that is what people are asking for-responsible policy-and compromise, there is tension between the neighborhood feel that Madison cherishes…and the ability of homeowners to supplement some of their operating expenses for their property.”

One aspect of the rentals that is of increasing concern is corporations and private businesses that buy up houses for the express purpose of renting them out and maximizing revenue form the property. The board has acknowledged this and said it is reviewing the ordinances of other municipalities and is hoping to render a solution in the coming months.

“Another new wrinkle is the corporate owner or business owner. There are companies of different sizes that specifically go to towns like Madison and but up homes with the intention of only renting them. And that is a departure from what we’ve had historical in town,” Wilson said.