Nearly 60% of voters do not support the current short-term rental ban in Park Township scheduled to go into effect this October. And, nearly a supermajority of voters favor a reasonable alternative policy allowing a limited number of owners to short-term rent their home.
“Many are focused on this important issue,” said Jeremy Allen, President of the Park Township Neighbors (PTN), a nonprofit representing over 100 property owners in Park Township that support the regulation, rather than the prohibition, of short-term rentals. “We are excited to engage the Township and find a solution here through a local legislative process.”
PTN has continued to engage the Township and community members this year, including the Realtors Association at the local and State levels with important input from the National Association. Polling was recently completed to inform a better local solution to this important Township issue.
“Realtors and their Association are a resource on private property rights issues,” said Dale Zahn, CEO of the West Michigan Lakeshore Association of Realtors (WMLAR). “We hope positive discussion about regulating the property right, coupled with helpful survey information, helps our community more reasonably address this issue.”
Zahn further stated, “Area REALTORS live, work, worship and play here in the Township. They are residents too and are quite possibly the biggest cheerleaders a community can have. Our organization has but one goal, to work cooperatively with the Township intent on helping make it a even better place to live. We have a draft ordinance carefully prepared that if enacted should address the needs of the Township and its residents as well as private property owners. The hope is that the Township takes a long hard look at the merits of the proposal and working together.”
The professionally conducted survey also indicated that Park Township is overwhelmingly a community that recognizes the importance of tourism and hospitality, favorably views tourists and visitors, and supports local businesses that cater to vacationers.
PTN strongly believes in continuing the area’s rich tradition of welcoming vacationing families and believes that regulating short-term rentals will help meet local housing needs. Recognizing the importance of vacation rentals to the local economy, PTN and WMLAR have also discussed completing an independent economic impact study to provide Park Township with this information.
Contact Person: Dale P Zahn, CEO
West Michigan Lakeshore Association of REALTORS