Town of Hague sets STR public hearing date

HAGUE | The Hague Town Board saw firsthand the outpouring of community members interested in the fate of the proposed Short-Term Rental Ordinance at their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, July 11. Some residents showed up in support, others in fierce opposition, to the ordinance, all with something at stake. Though multiple chairs kept being brought into the courtroom for people to be able to sit down, Town Supervisor Edna Frasier said at the beginning of the meeting that no public comment on the STR ordinance would be taking place that night. Instead, a public hearing was scheduled for Thursday, July 27 at 6 p.m. to solely address the issue. The ordinance has been publicly criticized for two suggested revisions to the original proposed 2021 ordinance, the first being a six-day minimum stay for renters during the peak season of May 15- Oct. 15, and the second being a three-year waiting period to be able to rent after property purchase. The ordinance does state, however, that already established rentals would not be subject to the three-year waiting period, with "All persons or entities that purchase a property in Hague after the enactment of these regulations in an arms-length transaction are not eligible for a short-term rental permit for a period of three (3) years after the date of purchase of the property." Alice Patchett, year-round inkeeper at Trout House Village Resort since 1986, voiced her concerns in an ongoing email discussion. "We need families that can afford to buy a home in Hague and be part of this community all year. This seemingly is no longer a viable option," stated Patchett. "In the last eight years, many of the homes have been purchased for the sole purpose of rental income property. Thus, the three-year waiting period (is essential/was suggested) to deter the further sale of property for business purposes only! Again, we need a balance of year-round residents to sustain our town's employment needs, serve on our boards, volunteer for the fire and rescue department, and attend our churches." Dylan Menke, who purchased property in Hague to create a STR after hearing from visitors to the area their struggle to find short-term rentals and the lack of varied lodging options. "After attending the last meeting, I reviewed the ordinances from the surrounding towns of Bolton, Schroon Lake, and Warrensburg which were all referenced by Supervisor Edna Frasier as not being much different than theirs and discovered none included a minimum stay or a waiting period before listing as a STR," Menke said. "Although Supervisor Frasier stated they are not trying to stifle STRs the fact that they are imposing greater restrictions than the above-noted towns will in fact stifle STRs leading to a de facto ban." Menke added that he and his family also use the property for their own enjoyment and that he believes the Town depicting the purchase of property solely for STR purposes to be erroneous. "What the Town should do is have a meeting with a group of STR owners and come up with an ordinance that fits," he said. The public hearing on July 27 will take place at the Town of Hague Community Center. The hearing will also be broadcast via Zoom.

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Town of Hague sets STR public hearing date

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