September 10, 2023
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As summer draws to a close, we want to update you on the upcoming election and the short-term rental situation in Highlands.
THE ELECTION NOVEMBER 7th
HNC Board Members invited every candidate for Town Board to meet and discuss their plans for the future of Highlands. We were able to meet with all but one candidate. While we appreciate every candidate’s desire to serve the community, there are only two candidates that we can support and that we recommend you support.
HNC supports the incumbents, Brian Stiehler and John “Buz” Dotson. They both have a strong proven track record of voting to prevent short-term rentals from destroying our traditional residential neighborhoods and both remain committed to prohibiting STRs in our R-1 and R-2 neighborhoods to the extent permitted under state law.
Commissioners Stiehler and Dotson have earned our continued support.
While there are five total candidates running for three seats, we recommend that voters only vote for the two who have expressly stated support for removing STRs from our residential neighborhoods – Brian Stiehler and John “Buz” Dotson. It is absolutely critical that both get re-elected to continue their work to restore residential neighborhoods to Highlands.
How can you help?
- If you are a voter, cast your votes for these two incumbents and encourage other voters to do the same. Early voting starts October 17, 2023.
- Contribute to their campaigns so they can get their message out.
- Contribute to the Highlands Neighborhood Coalition so we can continue our work advocating for residents and neighborhoods:
THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL SITUATION
We keep getting asked the question, “Are you satisfied with what the Town has done to restrict Short-term Rentals (STRs)?”
Our answer is a resounding “NO!!! The work is only half-done!” While every step to take back our neighborhoods from STR investors and return them to residents is appreciated, the Town still needs to finish the job.
Here is the status of STRs in Residential Zones R-1 and R-2 as of today:
- STRs operating before September 15, 2022 can continue operating as an STR forever, even after an ownership change.
- No other house in R-1 or R-2 can ever operate as an STR.
- The value of houses that can operate as STRs is inflated, while those that cannot are devalued – on the same street!
The Town needs to provide residential neighborhoods without commercial activity where every property owner has the same property rights. The only way to do this is to prohibit all short-term rentals in our R-1 and R-2 residential neighborhoods.
Thank you for your interest in the future of Highlands. As always, we appreciate your support.
The Board of the Highlands Neighborhood Coalition