Short Term Rentals in Groton

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  STR's are Critical to Mystic

  by Matt Rodrigues, over 3 years ago

  I am a Mystic resident and an active STR host for over 5 years. I love Mystic and have been happy to watch its growth as a tourism powerhouse. I believe tourism - and by extension, STR’s - are critical to Mystic’s continued success; tourism dollars are a driving force in our local economy and a foundational element of our tax revenue. To suggest Mystic is simply a quaint, quiet neighborhood is to ignore what has driven folks to come here - and what has helped our local economy succeed. For our tourism economy to continue to flourish, we need... Continue reading

  I am a Mystic resident and an active STR host for over 5 years. I love Mystic and have been happy to watch its growth as a tourism powerhouse. I believe tourism - and by extension, STR’s - are critical to Mystic’s continued success; tourism dollars are a driving force in our local economy and a foundational element of our tax revenue. To suggest Mystic is simply a quaint, quiet neighborhood is to ignore what has driven folks to come here - and what has helped our local economy succeed. For our tourism economy to continue to flourish, we need to allow STR's to exist. It boils down to two reasons:

  1. STR’s in Mystic help our tourism economy flourish and allow families to visit here. Tourists value the opportunity to stay in our charming, historic homes and to be close to the downtown center, especially if they can do so together with their families at a more reasonable cost compared to a soulless, distant hotel by the highway. Additionally, the frank truth is that there is simply not enough hotel supply to service the demand (note that when residents were offered a plan to increase hotel supply via the marina project, local activists lobbied against it); cutting off STR’s would drive up hotel prices and push out tourists - likely to the benefit of other towns and national hotel chains. Any local business should be concerned about the implications of making it more challenging or expensive to visit - and outlawing STR’s would do exactly that.

  2. STR’s in Mystic help our real estate market flourish and allow families to live here. Folks buy in Mystic with the understanding that they will be able to rent the home for periods of time. Other folks have lived here for decades - watching their property taxes skyrocket - and benefit from the ability to rent their property from time to time. Some groups suggest the vast majority of operators are ‘investment companies’ or ‘outsiders’; this is a false smear and couldn’t be further from the truth. The vast majority of operators love this town and want to spend as much time here as they can; removing the ability for these homeowners to defray their costs will force them to send their dollars elsewhere. Realtors, property tax collectors and sellers alike should be aware that outlawing STR’s will drive home prices down.

  While I have never had an issue, I understand that there are some negligent hosts; I also know there are many more well-intentioned hosts who have the occasional bad-apple guest. Requiring some form of registration, maintaining noise ordinances and ensuring off-street parking are all completely reasonable requests. But to require homeowners to be present at all times (thus only allowing the rental of a bedroom or portion of a home) or to rid the town of STR’s completely would instigate a death spiral for the local tourism economy here.
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  STR

  by Tom, almost 4 years ago

  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... Continue reading

  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.

  
  
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  Benefit of STRs

  by Jay, almost 4 years ago
  I just stayed at an STR near downtown mystic and sense no disruption to life in the neighborhood. The families around us were polite and welcoming. We loved visiting the town

  I just stayed at an STR near downtown mystic and sense no disruption to life in the neighborhood. The families around us were polite and welcoming. We loved visiting the town
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  Let’s find some common ground

  by Joe, almost 4 years ago
  Mystic and the greater Groton area is a wonderful place for many reasons and after reading through the posts in this forum, I can see many others love Mystic and Groton as much as I do. Perhaps @william provides a common sense approach that we can work with. Many have argued that the congestion of the downtown, especially the historic housing areas is creating a decreased quality of life for year round residents. I like the idea that @william provides around parking restrictions and tying these to existing occupancy & parking regulations that apply to motels/hotels. This would seem to... Continue reading

  Mystic and the greater Groton area is a wonderful place for many reasons and after reading through the posts in this forum, I can see many others love Mystic and Groton as much as I do. Perhaps @william provides a common sense approach that we can work with. Many have argued that the congestion of the downtown, especially the historic housing areas is creating a decreased quality of life for year round residents. I like the idea that @william provides around parking restrictions and tying these to existing occupancy & parking regulations that apply to motels/hotels. This would seem to be a common sense approach that would lessen the issue and provide STRs a place in the community. Given the amount of day tourism I have been seeing, seemingly year round (hour long wait for a table at Red 36 in March) and these folks finding there way into these areas to park, I’m not sure this will solve the problem entirely though. Perhaps providing special permits to properties outside of the downtown or densely populated areas would make sense? These properties may have larger lots, have off-street parking and can accommodate larger groups without any of the impact described in many of the other posts. Why throw the baby out with the bath water. Visitors to Mystic, many of which are families, spend a lot money in local businesses and want lodging options beyond the $400 a night, 180 sqft Marriott rooms. Properly placed / zoned STRs would fill this need nicely. Also…Airbnb runs an incredibly tight ship. They don’t allow parties, they rate hosts AND guests and they update these ratings immediately. This creates a group of visitors that respects property and neighborhoods. Seems like a win / win to me.
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  STR LIMITATIONS ARE NEEDED

  by Gman, almost 4 years ago

  As a longtime resident of Mystic, my downtown neighborhood on Pearl Street has been decimated by the Town of Groton and its awful ability to control the zoning of STR growth. This is in addition to the increased congestion caused by the lack of zoning of our area restaurants without ensuring suitable parking ... We must have some zoning control in support of our residential neighborhoods ... Other town and cities have, why can't Groton?

  As a longtime resident of Mystic, my downtown neighborhood on Pearl Street has been decimated by the Town of Groton and its awful ability to control the zoning of STR growth. This is in addition to the increased congestion caused by the lack of zoning of our area restaurants without ensuring suitable parking ... We must have some zoning control in support of our residential neighborhoods ... Other town and cities have, why can't Groton?
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  Future Mystic

  by Anna, almost 4 years ago
  What about home owners who just want to live in a neighborhood ?

  Will those houses be the minority in Mystic ?

  
  

  Doesn't take much to protect the reason most of us bought houses here ...

  so do something or houses in every neighborhood will be a rental.

  
  

  Add ordinances: town registration fee, no on-street parking, noise limits, smoke detectors, code of conduct, etc. But there will always be problems if the homeowner isn't there.

  
  

  If there are going to be rentals...keep it owner occupied.

  Do what's best for our neighborhoods and our future!

  What about home owners who just want to live in a neighborhood ?

  Will those houses be the minority in Mystic ?

  
  

  Doesn't take much to protect the reason most of us bought houses here ...

  so do something or houses in every neighborhood will be a rental.

  
  

  Add ordinances: town registration fee, no on-street parking, noise limits, smoke detectors, code of conduct, etc. But there will always be problems if the homeowner isn't there.

  
  

  If there are going to be rentals...keep it owner occupied.

  Do what's best for our neighborhoods and our future!
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  Why Pretend About Being Open Minded, And That Zoning Matters?

  by John D., almost 4 years ago

  I find this section on short term rentals to be insincere, and biased. After reading it all and taking the poll, I am left with the distinct impression that it has already been decided by Town staff and the consultants that there will be STR's in Groton, it is just that we need to go through the dance of feigning open mindedness before arriving at that pre-determined conclusion.

  There is absolutely no acknowledgement, in the discussion nor the poll, that one valid viewpoint and choice is the reality which is - that the Town of Groton's Zoning Regulations currently do... Continue reading

  I find this section on short term rentals to be insincere, and biased. After reading it all and taking the poll, I am left with the distinct impression that it has already been decided by Town staff and the consultants that there will be STR's in Groton, it is just that we need to go through the dance of feigning open mindedness before arriving at that pre-determined conclusion.

  There is absolutely no acknowledgement, in the discussion nor the poll, that one valid viewpoint and choice is the reality which is - that the Town of Groton's Zoning Regulations currently do not allow for hotel-like short term rentals in residential zones! The regulations themselves stipulate that if a use is not addressed, it is not allowed. A hairdresser business, a bed and breakfast, and a doctor's office - these are all businesses allowed in homes in residential zones, because the regulations do address them. Short terms rentals are not addressed, anywhere, in the Town and City zoning regulations.

  The irony or insincerity of all of this is that the author of this Greater Groton site takes great pains to acknowledge the sanctity of zoning regulations, and all of the related do's and dont's which will help us manage Groton. All, while at the same time, completely ignoring the integrity of the current zoning regulations which govern the topic of short-term rental businesses in residential zones.

  
  
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  We need STRs in Groton

  by Bailey, almost 4 years ago

  Let's face it, Groton is doing very well economically. This is a good thing, and it's largely due to tourism. If we stifle tourism by shutting down STRs, we severely limit the positive impact on the local economy. This will impact jobs, taxes and opportunities for local residents. The collective group of locally-owned STRs can accommodate more people than any hotel in Groton. Shutting down STRs is the same as forcing the largest hotel in town to close down, simply because some people are terribly afraid of change, and some feel "left behind" in this successful economy. The town of... Continue reading

  Let's face it, Groton is doing very well economically. This is a good thing, and it's largely due to tourism. If we stifle tourism by shutting down STRs, we severely limit the positive impact on the local economy. This will impact jobs, taxes and opportunities for local residents. The collective group of locally-owned STRs can accommodate more people than any hotel in Groton. Shutting down STRs is the same as forcing the largest hotel in town to close down, simply because some people are terribly afraid of change, and some feel "left behind" in this successful economy. The town of Groton should embrace and celebrate the success of local STRs. Many other municipalities offer incentives to get people into the STR business. Let's get real and support STRs because they not only stimulate the local economy and enlarge the tax base, they also keep families in their ancestral homes and provide essential income to local people. We need STRs in Groton.
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  Mystic is About the People who live there - STR's are damaging that community

  by William, almost 4 years ago

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  To the average tourist, Mystic is a quaint historic town, that offers a variety of restaurants and shopping opportunities and vistas along the Mystic River. Tourists can walk along the streets in the residential areas and downtown and experience a walk through 200 years of history. It is important to understand how it got that way and what might be necessary to maintain it into the 100 years.

  I once had an opportunity to hear a relative the the Mallory family talk about the development of the shipping industry in Mystic. The Mallory family was instrumental in the ship building... Continue reading

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  To the average tourist, Mystic is a quaint historic town, that offers a variety of restaurants and shopping opportunities and vistas along the Mystic River. Tourists can walk along the streets in the residential areas and downtown and experience a walk through 200 years of history. It is important to understand how it got that way and what might be necessary to maintain it into the 100 years.

  I once had an opportunity to hear a relative the the Mallory family talk about the development of the shipping industry in Mystic. The Mallory family was instrumental in the ship building industry in Mystic. Prior too the 1890's Mystic was a major if not the major area in the United States where wooden ships were constructed. A story we've all come to know through the Mystic Seaport. A walk through town and a look at the historic signs on buildings tell us where various captains, sail makers, ship owners, shop owners, hat makers, workers, et al lived. You can follow the dates of houses along the streets from the 1820's as each year the streets were extended to include a few more houses.

  The town of Mystic grew rather rapidly. An important feature was that for the residents everything was within walking distance. Stores developed in the downtown area that provided all that was needed by the residents who principally supported the ship building industry..... food, clothing, sundries, medicines. Traveling to other towns was made easy by the introduction of a trolly system that extended to Westerly and Old Mystic. The other form of transpiration was horse and carriage... but since the ship yards were so close, most residents moved about by walking.

  Then a unique event happened. The steam engine was added to ships and steel ships began to appear. According the Mallory, within several years, the shipping industry moved entirely to New York City. Needless to say, Mystic was left supporting a rapidly dwindling wooden ship industry. All development in Mystic ceased and the town became somewhat frozen in time. A few industries such as the velvet factory were developed that sustained the community, but over the next 100 years, there was no pressure to "redevelop" downtown Mystic. That is replace old buildings with modern buildings and provide large parking lots to attract more customers. The residential areas surrounding downtown Mystic remained in tact for families and the downtown businesses served most of the shopping needs for these residents. This situation continued unchanged through World Wars I and II up to the 1960's. The residential community of Mystic now made mobil via the automobile could support a variety of industries that developed in southeastern Ct.

  In the late 1960's the Mystic Historic District was formed to preserve the unique historic conditions the Mystic. This preservation is not just of the buildings, but of a scale of living I'd call a "walking" scale. Buildings cannot be torn down to make room for more parking. If you live here, when you drive home from work, you park your car, then you can walk just about anywhere you need to go after that. All-be-it many of the businesses are more tourist oriented these days, you can walk to the pharmacy, you can pick up some food, you can buy some new clothes. You can walk to three churches. You used to be able to walk to school. You can walk to the train station. If the walks are getting a little longer, you can ride a bike to the community center and a major grocery store. You can walk to barber shops and beauty salons.

  We raised our family in Mystic. Within three to four houses of us there were other families with children. Children of all ages, so finding an older sister baby-sitter was always possible. Tourist wise, downtown Mystic struggled a bit so on-street parking was not a problem. Kids could walk downtown with friends to the ice cream shops. As the kids got older, the destination was the local coffee shop. All the parents knew each other and we'd find ourselves working together for charity events, library support, school board meetings, community events.

  That is the Mystic I've been a part of for the past 50 years.... MYSTIC IS ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE THERE.

  So what about STR's. Bad or Good?

  The three houses that had families with kids 3 or 4 houses away from us are now STR's. I can't say that we've had any trouble with visitors. they are friendly and it's fun to talk with them to see where they are from and how they heard about Mystic. Typically there are 4 to 8 visitors per house... pretty much 80% of the time this past year. That relates to 3 to 4 extra cars always parking on the street.... and as I take a step back.... there are no kids in the near by or larger neighborhood anymore. My street in fully parked up Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Not sure I'd want to be raising little kids here just now.

  STR's provide a great experience for the visitor but they displace housing opportunities for families who actually make up Mystic. Mystic is a unique historic town, not a historic museum to be visited and observed only. STR's may provide income opportunity to some residents but a few residents in pursuit of that income are destroying the very fabric that created the residential life in Msytic for 200 years.

  Many argue an STR is not a motel or a hotel, just a right for an owner to rent his or her property. Essentially run a little "B&B" business. Currently the Zoning code of the Town of Groton does not permit a hotel or motel in any residential zone where STR's are operating.... defining HOTEL/MOTEL as "A builidng or buildings providing transient lodging to the general public for compensation, with daily cleaning service, and with or without meals of kitchen facilities" The Code does allow Bed and Breakfast businesses but only under highly controlled circumstances.

  If you live next to an STR there is no question, these are motel rooms. If you live next to an STR there is also no question that an STR will be typically rented by a large group, utilizing every bedroom available. If there are four bedrooms, as next to me, 8 people are not unusual. That is equivalent to a 4 unit motel. Since I have three STR near me, my house is essentially next to a 12 unit motel and the attendant activities of that motel in terms of visitor activities and cleaning staff activities.

  If the STR were required to meet parking standards of a motel, a four bedroom STR would require 4 off street parking spaces on the property that can be independently accessed (not a single driveway that holds four cars in tandem)..

  Historically, Mystic is facing a change a large as the shipping industry moving to New York City. STR are currently financially attractive to home owners and developers. The attraction is "historic environment" of the businesses / river front in downtown Mystic. While a couple STR's in the neighborhood might not be too damaging to the community life of the residents surrounding the business district, the proliferation of many STR (as seems to be occurring in my immediate neighborhood) is damaging the residential environment for families. I think if the decision is to allow STR's in the Mystic Residential district then that is a decision that the next 100 years is exclusively about developing the tourist business of the Mystic downtown area at the expense of the residential housing opportunity. If the desire is to maintain and preserve the residential district for families then no STR should be permitted since in my experience they have an oversized impact on the residences immediately adjacent to each STR.
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  Be carewful what you ask for

  by Fran, almost 4 years ago

  
  

  Be careful what you ask for

  We asked them, we invited them,, we gave them a sneak preview of all that Mystic had to offer though many forms of advertising including the Mystic Chamber.

  
  

  And now they are here.

  
  

  Mystic is no longer a town where people used to stumble upon, they come here anticapating great resturants, shops, education facilities like the seaport and aquarium and of course the water.

  Where can the average family go to enjoy what we have to offer? STR serves a purpose.

  I know this from experience, I purchased a tired house and totally had... Continue reading

  
  

  Be careful what you ask for

  We asked them, we invited them,, we gave them a sneak preview of all that Mystic had to offer though many forms of advertising including the Mystic Chamber.

  
  

  And now they are here.

  
  

  Mystic is no longer a town where people used to stumble upon, they come here anticapating great resturants, shops, education facilities like the seaport and aquarium and of course the water.

  Where can the average family go to enjoy what we have to offer? STR serves a purpose.

  I know this from experience, I purchased a tired house and totally had the property redone. Its's located in a neighborhood where there is also other STR. All the properties are kept up in perfect condition.

  I have been doing this for 4 years and I can say I never had any problems; the people who have stayed are very considerate of the property and the neighbors.

  STR have helped the economy in the area for resturants, shops, seaport ,aquarium and not even mentioning the amount of business that are employed because of them.

  Be careful what you asked for, we asked, they came and now we need to accommodate them.