Skagway City Hall and Museum. (Greta Mart)
Earlier this month, the Skagway Assembly voted down an ordinance that would have created new taxes and regulations for short-term rentals.
The measure was part of an attempt to alleviate Skagway’s housing shortage.
But, not everyone thinks there is a connection between the two.
Resident Denise Caposey spoke against the way the ordinance is written.
“I think that you’re attacking an industry that really isn’t an issue in our town,” Caposey said. “I could see where we do need to regulate. But not with that particular wording in the ordinance.”
Tim Bourcy pushed back on the idea that these types of rentals are contributing to the seasonal housing crisis.
“I use VRBO a lot. It’s a positive thing,” Bourcy said. “But I think the playing field needs to be leveled. Taxes need to be leveled. All that needs to be taken care of. But to suggest that short-term rentals are taking away from seasonal housing is a complete misnomer.”
The ordinance would have limited the number of vacation rentals not occupied by the property owner.
The planning commission and civic affairs committee worked on the ordinance. It went through many public work sessions and several public hearings.
Mayor Monica Carlson said, while short-term rentals may not be a major issue in Skagway yet, the municipality should get out in front of the issue.
“We don’t want to be like all these other cities that are reacting to a problem,” Carlson said. “That this will help our community. We’ve got regulations, we’ve got the taxing, we allow people to do what they want to do. And I think this is a good ordinance. The bones of it.”
The motion to adopt the rental ordinance failed 2-3.
