Notes from the Planning Board, May 2, 2023

• Kate Fletcher, Chair
• Lis Wheeler
• Wayne Slosek
• Marie Raftery
• Nancy Socha

1. Approved minutes from March 7 and April 4 meetings as written
2. Stockbridge qualified for the Justice 40 Initiative. The federal program makes Stockbridge eligible for grants from 300 federal agencies. A Justice 40 municipality is considered disadvantaged. Evidently based on income (not assets) of full-time residents.
3. Discussion on Short Term Rentals (STR). PB read bylaw and discussed. Questions before PB: current STR bylaw is a good start, but what parts need fixing? If the bylaw is changed, what problem is being addressed?

General agreement:

Investors buying housing stock to rent as a business should be discouraged.

All homeowners should be allowed to rent short-term.

Questions:

How do STR and ADU bylaws, and affordable housing initiatives blend? How does the law distinguish between second homeowners and business investors? Stockbridge seems to have many more STRs than have registered as required by the STR bylaw; how does Town enforce the bylaw? How do the bylaws help achieve the vision of, goals for, Stockbridge?

Disagreement:

Slosek felt "that ship has sailed" (no way to maintain Stockbridge as a town — market forces have made it too expensive for the young or workers.) It is now a retirement community. Few jobs in Town.

During public comment Patty Caya wanted to discuss Vail, Colorado.

Meeting adjourned.