LETTER: Belgium has to act, kumbaya won’t solve Airbnb problems

To Ozaukee Press:

The recent Ozaukee Press article about short-term rentals in the Town of Belgium needs a little context.

First of all, the neighborhood group asked the Town Board to draft some limitations on short-term rentals a year ago, months before the incident in December that involved armed law enforcement, drugs, an underage girl, and an illegally-modified firearm.

Second, we’re not talking about Joe and Sally Homeowner making some extra bucks by renting out their home for a few weeks a year. We’re talking about individuals and corporations buying homes in residential neighborhoods with no intention of living there, but with every intention of establishing a commercial business there—basically a motel. Bad for the neighborhood; bad for property values.

Third, the statements of the rental owners that the neighbors are exaggerating and that their “carefully vetted” guests don’t act out is ridiculous. They aren’t on site (they should read the December police report). The Belgium Town Board’s insistence that this can be solved by everybody having a kumbaya moment is also ridiculous. They’re not on site either.

Fourth, Wisconsin’s “Right to Rent” law doesn’t allow municipalities to ban short-term rentals, but it doesn’t tie their hands completely. Other townships have passed ordinances that limit turn-around of a space to once a week, and that limit operation to six months of the year. My town passed this, and the world did not end.

If I were an elected official and the people who pay my salary were as upset about an issue as these folks are, I’d sure try to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Kate Redmond

Oostburg

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Ozaukee Press

Wisconsin’s largest paid circulation community weekly newspaper. Serving Port Washington, Saukville, Grafton, Fredonia, Belgium, as well as Ozaukee County government. Locally owned and printed in Port Washington, Wisconsin.

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Port Washington, WI 53074
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