Opinion
The Planning Commission Voted to Uphold Resident’s Rights in Residential Districts in Warren County
Update to my ‘Letter to the Editor’ last week: But it is just a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors has now moved this issue onto their agenda for this week (instead of originally planned for next month).
Unfortunately, I don’t believe the majority of the Board of Supervisors really appreciates the Homeowners (and residential renters) of our County. They seem to have a mistaken belief that replacing us with Airbnbs (Short Term Tourist Rentals, STTRs) is more beneficial to the County. They say it benefits Tourism.
But that’s not true. The traditional lodging businesses, located close to the heart of our county’s businesses, typically have guests who sleep there and spend the rest of their time supporting our local economy. But STTRs are different, especially the ones in rural residential areas farther from everything. Perhaps small 1 or 2-bedroom STTRS, zoned for 2-4 people, could be suitable for visits to a restaurant or a winery. But the larger 3-4 bedroom plus houses (like the one next to me) are being rented as Party Houses. They are drunk-screaming in the hot tub and deck, morning, afternoon, and evening, Thursday through Sunday. They bring their food and drinks with them and don’t leave their Party House. They are NOT supporting any of our local businesses.
Whereas the residents in our neighborhoods pay property taxes, bank here, buy groceries here, shop here, go to our churches, and our Post Office, pay car taxes, AND frequent our restaurants, bars, and wineries. Even in the winter months when the tourists are gone.
The residents in this County are an ASSET to this Community! Not a burden to be displaced by 24/7 businesses in residential areas that are not even supporting our local economy.
There are good reasons why we don’t allow anyone to build anything anywhere they want to – There are too many unintended consequences to list if we do.
I hope I am wrong about the intent of this Board of Supervisors. I hope they will show their appreciation for the residents of this County, and vote for protecting our residential neighborhoods.
Call them and emphasize how important this is.
Kathleen Mancini
Waren County, VA
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