Short term rental discussion looming
To the editor:
I was dismayed to read that our Town Council is due to discuss Short Term Rentals on April 1. After all, this ordinance is in force, so what is the purpose of the discussion?
Short Term Rentals are undoubtedly a business. This requires quite a lot of services (cleaning, checking inventory, repairing damage, replacing breakages, giving out keys and taking them back, collecting the rent and accounting for it, etc., all on a weekly basis). Short Term Rentals fulfill a useful purpose IN THE RIGHT PLACE. However, our quiet residential areas are NOT the right place. Short Term Renters rarely consist of a quiet couple; they usually come in a larger group. They only have one week in which to have as much fun as possible. I don’t begrudge them their fun, but they are not entitled to disturb quiet neighborhoods and deprive residents of their sleep and peaceful enjoyment of their homes.
I fervently hope that our Town Council will not try to please the business people at the expense of residents, who are the backbone of our community. All residents pay their taxes and many do a lot for the good of the whole community. They deserve consideration!
Gertraud Short
Fort Myers Beach