I am writing to alert South Hadley citizens of a public hearing to be conducted by the Planning Board regarding the proposed short-term rental zoning bylaw and proposed short-term rental general bylaw. A virtual public hearing will be held on Monday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m.. Here is the link to this virtual meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81859898540?pwd=V0dnbmZzQ2dxZFNEVlpsZE5nanFDdz09 To join by PHONE: + 1(646) 558-8656, Webinar ID: 818 5989 8540,  Passcode: 751566. Copies of the proposed draft bylaws are available online at www.southhadley.org/1318/ProposedDraft-Bylaws. Hard copies may be viewed at Town Hall, Planning and Conservation Department, Room U6, 116 Main St. Short-term rentals are defined as rentals of all or part of a residential dwelling unit for 28 consecutive days or less, including home-sharing and vacation rentals. Such rentals are often advertised on online platforms such as AirBNB, VRBO, or similar rental booking sites. Please read the draft bylaws and come to the hearing to make your feelings about this issue known to the Planning Board. You might be concerned about a limit on the total number of days that part of a house or an entire house can be permitted to be rented out during an entire calendar year. Or you might question if allowing 5 non-owner occupied short-term rentals in town is a sound idea for any residential neighborhood.

Martha Terry

South Hadley

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