BETHEL - The tourism industry is on fire in Sullivan County. A walk down most Main Streets on a Saturday afternoon will be greeted by visitors browsing local shops, stopping for lunch at a local …
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BETHEL - The tourism industry is on fire in Sullivan County. A walk down most Main Streets on a Saturday afternoon will be greeted by visitors browsing local shops, stopping for lunch at a local restaurant or enjoying Sullivan Catskills’ great outdoors.
And with all the added business has come a challenge – how to best regulate one of Sullivan County’s newest industries – short-term rentals.
The Bethel Town Board is addressing this issue and the issue was front and center at a public hearing in April.
The packed house gave Supervisor Dan Sturm and the Town Board an earful, as the public recommended ways to address the issue and made comments on Bethel’s proposed new Short-Term Rental Law.
If approved, the law would apply to rentals of 31 days or less and include Airbnbs, Home Away, VRBOs and anyone else renting their property for short term rental use.
When approved, the new law will contain permit procedures which include the need for a floor plan, and installation of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers.
Public comments are still open until May 10.
The law will also require owners to post quiet hours of 11 p.m. - 7 a.m., provide weekly garbage removal, provide one parking space per unit, and have an occupancy of no more than 12 per unit. An annual fee will also be assessed to help fund the town’s efforts and short-term rentals will also need to pay the county’s bed tax.
Town Attorney Marvin Newberg said the law is intended to put all establishments renting their property to vistors on equal ground and also provide safety to Bethel’s visitors.
Resident opinions
Approximately 30 people voiced concerns and many submitted written ideas. Kandace Gittelman, of the White Lake Homeowners Association, was the first to speak.
She was not in favor, citing that there would be no clerk at a front desk, the need for a new department to absorb the burden placed on government, methods of enforcing regulations, and a history of applicants lying on permit request forms.
Susan Conroy, from Smallwood, cited water issues, bringing forth an incident when water in a resident’s supply became contaminated and spread to other dwellings nearby; and the issue of whether sheds and garages would be rented. She stated, “I cannot understand how one house can be rented to 12 people.”
Jeff Allison, who represented Karen Cohen, suggested a limit on the number of permits issued, adjustments to the law to promote the future, and an evaluation of the impact of the law.
Anne Fury, a visitor to Smallwood since 1952, stated, “It is incumbent for everybody to watch out for regulations.”
Allan Li, the owner of Catskill Concierge, in business for nine years, said, “the law seems reasonable. It helps home prices.” He suggested there be a local manager to shut down places in cases of poor behavior and violations.
"Brian Cohen, whose family has owned a 14 bedroom house on 2 acres for 55 years, stated that the law's 12 person limit would put them out of business. Cohen stated that their house is used as both a second home and a part-time short-term rental."
DeeBee Kula said, “Having short term rentals nearby makes me uncomfortable.” They are “businesses regulated in a residential area.” She voiced concern about people coming to Bethel with the intent of making short term rental income.
Meghan Carraci cited the need for a professional planner, due to traffic influx and sewage. “Canadice has one half of Bethel’s population.” There would be “a constant stream of rentals.” This law “would turn Bethel across the board… into a rental district”. “This is a nightmare waiting to happen. Smallwood cannot be compromised into a community of renters and investors.” She requested a short-term moratorium.
Jonathan Hyman, President of the Smallwood Civic Association, wants to “preserve Smallwood country life.” This law is “cut and pasted from Canadic.” There is “no evidence to the potential that this law will do. It makes a mockery of Smallwood as a residential community.”
Gail Rubenfeld, a full time Smallwood resident, said the short-term rental business would “profoundly affect the quiet way of life...Hotelification’ of Smallwood and the entire town is an extreme detriment.”
Raymond Neuehoff, a 34- year Bethel town employee, said the appeals process would take too long because it entails a wait of one month after permit revocation.
Denise Frangipane was concerned about the quality of life, resulting in particular, from those rentals operated at a distance by speculative investors. The approach is flawed: there should be an owner on the premises, there is no recourse if something happens in the middle of the night, and there should be a direct phone number of an owner or a manager. She encouraged “a different law good for our town.”
Susan Brown Otto suggested that if a call to first responders is made, there should be an address posted at the end of the driveway that can be seen from the road, and one inside the house as well. Alarms need to be regulated. She also cited that several victims of lake drownings have been short term renters close by.
Councilwoman Vicki Simpson closed the hearing, leaving two weeks open for comments. She cited that since 2009 a sum of $7M has been invested in sewage system upgrades and “at the peak of summer it was at 50% capacity”.
Councilwoman Lillian Hendrickson said everything has to be looked into and mentioned a related issue, the collection of rent for one year rentals as well as short term sums. She spoke briefly about the difficulty of collecting rent and the time it takes for enforcement.
Other Matters
There was correspondence from Judith Maidenbaum, who asked the town to replant the trees and lawn that were cut and dug up during installation of a culvert on her property by the sewer department. It was approved and sent to an engineer.
Town Board Councilman Bernie Cohen reported that street sweeping is ongoing as well as the tree cutting contracted with NYSEG.
Supervisor Dan Sturm announced the KL Farm and Makers Market Saturday, May 27, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Duggan School in White Lake. He urged people to attend, as it will be even better than the previous one.
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