Why passing Camden Articles 5, 6, and 7 could mean adding a new town employee
The Planning Board’s proposed articles 5, 6, and 7 on Short Term Rentals were created without real data on how many short term rentals actually exist in Camden. Estimates varied anywhere from 150 to 450. For the sake of this discussion lets assume there are 275 short term rentals.
If these articles pass the Code Enforcement Officer and planning Department would be required to do the following.
Receive and review 275 applications
Collect 275 required fees
Identify and confirm location of 275 properties
Determine zoning compliance of 275 properties
Review tenant information packet of 275 properties
Review condo bylaws of any rental in a condo association
Do an extensive onsite inspection of 275 properties
Review septic and water of those properties not on town systems
Issue 275 licenses
Confirm online advertising has license number posted
Confirm online advertising has calendar uploaded
Deal with enforcement, violations, and appeals
The planning department has continually assured the board and public that they could handle this additional workload with existing staff. This is a planning department that couldn’t even produce these proposed rules in a timely manner. I have no doubt that in short order the taxpayers will be asked to finance additional personnel.
Please vote no on Articles 5, 6, and 7.
Stephen Gold lives in Camden