STR

I live one mile from downtown Mystic in a residential neighborhood. Two STR are on my street. One is adjacent to my home and is owned by a man who lives out of state. The second SRT is four houses down the street is owned by a corporation.

The STR next store is a party house. All the behavior issues you here at meetings happens at this property. When I’ve spoken to the owner he’s told me to call the police.

The second STR recently had eight vehicles parked on the street on a Sunday morning while seven men, dressed in sleeping clothes, had their morning coffee and cigarettes on the driveway.

Multiple families and adults (unrelated) rent these homes to split up the cost. Last October, 10 cars stayed at the adjacent SRT.

These homes are rented on line through AIRBNB and VRBO. There is no supervision of these homes. Once the renters take possession of the home, they do has they please.

Granted most renters are well behaved, however many are not. Neighbors have to accept the behavior renters deem OK because we live here.

The Spicer Mansion violated Groton’s zoning laws, and Groton aggressively defended the laws in the courts. STR violates zoning laws and Groton is in the process of changing zoning laws or creating ordnances to accommodate STR.

Local supervision of STR should be required moving forward (including nights and weekends). There is no enforcement mechanism in place to oversee STR. The responsibility of policing these SRT properties should not fall on neighbors “for the whole summer season”.

STR should pay occupancy taxes, same as hotels pay.