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OBSERVER Photos by Braden Carmen
Angela Bittinger, a resident of the town of Arkwright, spoke at a recent meeting about a proposed short-term rental law in the town.
A town resident attended a recent meeting of the Arkwright Town Board to share her concerns over the regulation of short-term rental properties in the town.
“There used to be plenty of businesses here in Arkwright, but sadly, these days there are very few businesses in existence,” said Angela Bittinger, a rental property owner in Arkwright. “In 2021, we started a family-run business offering lodging. It has grown, and it is enjoyed by several guests every week. As Airbnb hosts in Arkwright, we would like to express our wishes for Arkwright to support, welcome and embrace short-term rentals.”
Bittinger stated her business has welcomed over 400 guests from across the globe to Arkwright, including guests from the Netherlands, Germany, Columbia, Denmark, and China.
“These visitors are typically here to see Lily Dale, Niagara Falls, Lake Erie, and other local destinations, but they are choosing to spend their money to stay the night here in Arkwright. Their support of our family-run business makes this county more than a pit stop off of the thruway,” Bittinger said. “We encourage you to continue to ensure safety in the short-term rentals here in Arkwright, but please do not forget that these businesses are helping our local area develop. Please don’t over-regulate them or discourage them.”
Bittinger claimed that other areas in the county are over-regulating short-term rentals. “They are encouraging business owners and their families to move elsewhere,” she said.
Town Supervisor Brian McAvoy responded, “There is no intention here to stifle anybody’s opportunity to make a living. … I hope we will be fair, and if we’re not, please keep talking.”
McAvoy discussed the topic again later in the meeting. He offered a timeline that projected a draft law presentation in July, with a public hearing to be held before the law is enacted. No public hearing date has been set.
“I personally think this protects people who are trying to do it right. It protects us, but it also protects them,” McAvoy said of the potential local law.
In the process of drafting a law to regulate short-term rental properties, McAvoy has evaluated similar laws proposed or enacted around the area. Specific to how to define a short-term rental, McAvoy stated, “I like (the town of) Dunkirk’s definition.”
Specific to a purpose of the law, McAvoy stated, “In order to respect the property rights and interests of all homeowners and long-term renters in the town, the law seeks to achieve a balance between those who wish to offer all or part of their property as a short-term rental and those who do not.”
The Town Board discussed density of short-term rentals, and after discussion including public input, decided a limit of two short-term rentals per acre of property.
Bittinger concluded her time in public comment by stating, “The beauty here in Arkwright is a huge natural resource. We have to capitalize on that. We are building a business that we would love to pass down to our children one day, and we appreciate Arkwright encouraging these family-run businesses.”
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