Board wants to evaluate short-term rentals

WATKINS GLEN--The Watkins Glen Village Planning Board approved five short-term rentals at its meeting Wednesday, June 12. Sites on Lakeshore Drive (the Watkins Glen Brewery location), 804 North Perry St. and 84 Salt Point Road were approved with no contingencies. Two sites--208 N. Monroe Ave. and 413-415 S. Madison Ave.--were approved pending updated insurance policies that indicate the properties are being used as short-term rentals. Planning board members asked that the permits be issued only after confirmation of the updated insurance policies.
In addition, parking was discussed for the property on Madison Avenue, owned by Travis Durfee. A duplex, the facility has capacity for seven people on one side of the structure and 10 people on the second side. Guests have access to five spots in front of the house on the west side of the street. Additional vehicles are encouraged to park on the east side of the street in a gravel pull-off. The owner of this pull-off is not known, and the area is posted with a sign that says Parking by Permit Only. The village planning board will ask the village police department to check with neighbors to identify who owns the pull-off and who may have placed the sign, as the village does not issue parking permits. Durfee agreed to request a parking waiver.
The five applications considered at this meeting were submitted by owners currently operating short-term rentals. Approximately 63 establishments operate as a short-term rental in the village. According to planning board member Brian Eslinger, the planning board has submitted a proposal to the village's mayor and trustees requesting a one-year moratorium on new applications for short-term rentals. Eslinger indicated the proposal is with the village's attorney.
"The planning board wants to evaluate how short-term rentals impact the community in terms of density," said Eslinger. "We need to study the issue block by block and zoning district by zoning district. Ultimately, we hope to determine guidelines for short-term rentals that will maintain the integrity of a year-round residential community and ensure a vibrant village. This is vital."