I understand that short-term rentals have a long history in Maine, especially by a beach. If you have been doing this for decades, if this is your family history for generations, then it deserves to be grandfathered. If South Portland’s short-term rental ordinance is approved, then this can be part of the fine tuning.
If you are offering hosted stays in your home to supplement your income, or for any other reason, I support your right to do that, and so does the ordinance. However, any business plan that has been created in the last decade is simply the investor class operating under the radar to make personal fortunes at the expense of others.
I’ve invested 22 years in this neighborhood. The mini-hotel across the street popped up less than two years ago. I don’t think their property rights should trump mine. Vote for the short-term rental ordinance.
Louise Tate
South Portland
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