Short-term Rental Workgroup

Steps for confirming the STR Working Group Framework

Proposed Framework

• The STR Working Group (STRWG) will be comprised of nine voting members, representing a broad cross-section of the community.
  • 1 Planning Board (primary and alternate) (voting)
  • 1 Finance Committee (primary and alternate) (voting)
  • 1 Advisory Committee of the Non-Voting Taxpayers (primary and alternate) (voting)
  • 1 ACK*Now (primary and alternate) (voting)
  • 1 Nantucket Together (primary and alternate) (voting)
  • 1 Affordable Housing advocate from the Housing Stakeholders Workgroup (primary and alternate) (Housing Stakeholders Workgroup) (voting)
  • 3 at large members (voting)
  • Board of Health designee (staff or BOH member) (non-voting)

• In appointing the members, in addition to the criteria above, applicants should be considered who are also:
  • People who own STRs
    • Year-round owners
    • Seasonal owners
    • Commercial owners
  • People who have concerns about the impact of STRs on their neighborhoods
  • Own business interests, e.g. restaurants, landscapers, etc.
  • In adherence with the conflict-of-interest guidelines as set forth by Town Counsel and agreed with the Select Board.

• The STR Working Group members will be appointed using the Town of Nantucket’s Committee, Board and Commission process.
  • All members will be confirmed by a majority vote of the 3 Select Board members (2 are recused), the chair of the Finance Committee and the vice-chair of the Planning Board.
  • The 1.c, 1.d, 1.e and 1.f members will be proposed by their respective groups.
    • Each group will be asked to propose 3 members and 3.a. will determine who is full-time and who is alternate during the selection process.

• An independent facilitator will be engaged by the Select Board to moderate and manage all meetings of the STRWG.

• The working group members’ commitment will include:
  • Attending 95% of the scheduled meetings. Attending 100% of the meetings where critical votes are taken, e.g. the substance of a Zoning article for Annual Town Meeting.
    • Missing more than 2 meetings will be grounds for dismissal from the STR Work Group and the alternate will be appointed.
  • Reaching 100% consensus on data needed, data definitions and sources of all data.
  • Reaching  consensus (7 votes out of 9) on any topic that is brought to a vote. The intention of this is for the group to reach compromises, notto enable 3 members to stop the process.
    • When this is not achieved, the chair will elicit what work needs to be done to reach 80%.
  • Soliciting all input from their represented constituency prior to each meeting.
    • Method to be confirmed re: Open Meeting Law (OML).
  • Communicating any relevant information back to their constituencies.
    • Method to be confirmed re: OML.

• While there are probably more than nine different constituencies for this topic, a working group larger than nine will be difficult to manage.
  • It will be the responsibility of the individual members to solicit input from their represented constituency.
  • It will be up to the chair to ensure all constituencies who want to actively participate are included in the relevant discussions.
    • This will be done, in part, by posting detailed agendas of topics to be covered for each meeting.
  • It is expected that Town Administration will play a critical role in identifying solutions for this topic and will be included in all meetings as needed.
    • A member of PLUS will provide support for the STR Working Group.

• All meetings will be public and held under Open Meeting Law on Zoom and/or Hybrid to ensure ease of participation by members of the public.

• The Objectives of the STR Working Group are:
  • To provide 100% transparency in all discussions, deliberations, and decisions in respect to STRs on Nantucket.
  • 100% agreement to the contributing data points, how they are defined, and the necessary analyses for decision-making by the STRWG
  • To develop sensible guidelines for STRs that consider (but not be limited to):
    • Nantucket’s unique situation, 
    • the history of seasonal rentals,
    • how STRs are developing in similar communities and the impact on Nantucket,
    • the economic impact of the suggested guidelines.
• To identify either new Bylaws and/or Zoning that would be voted upon at the 2023 Annual Town Meeting.
  • To identify any guidelines that may arise that would support Article 39.

• The STR Work Group will be successful (Goals) when:
  • Any articles arising out this Work Group pass at Town Meeting by a significant margin (not just 2/3^rd or majority vote), indicating broad public support for the solutions.
  • All participants agree to work in good faith.

• After the pre-meeting, the group of 6 will:
  • Take the updated draft Framework back to their respective boards and committee for their input. (In progress.)
  • Hold another meeting by July 31st to align the input from the 3 boards.
  • Make any final edits and publish the Framework as final.
    • Ensuring any relevant points raised during Public Comment are considered in the final Framework.

• Once constituted, the agenda for first meeting of the STR Work Group will be to:
  • Adopt the Framework, Objectives and Goals.
  • Agree “way of working.”
    • How will decisions be made and confirmed? (See proposed guidelines in 5.c. above)
    • Meeting frequency and platform (Zoom, Hybrid)
    • Identify actions to be taken if people/members don’t adhere to the Framework.
  • Review existing data, identifying any gaps. Agree definitions, sources, timing and endorsing the data to be used for decision making.
  • Agree communication plan, identifying the what/who/how/when for each element.
  • Agree an approach for community outreach and engagement.
  • Set the agenda for the next meeting and the meeting schedule.