The following letter was written and submitted by Cape Charles Resident Julie Jones
In Matthew 7:12, Jesus said “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
This is universally known as The Golden Rule, and sets a standard of ethics that is recognized worldwide.
Treat others the way that you want them to treat you.
As you ponder your vote on regulations for short-term vacation rentals, I would like to reference the online map of short-term rental units, published in the Cape Charles Mirror on November 24, current as of October 15, 2024, as provided by town staff.
Looking at this map, it confirmed for me that the 500 block of Monroe Avenue, where my husband Sam and I live, has 12 short-term vacation rentals, the most of any block in the Cape Charles Historic District.
Using this same map as a reference, it appears that the majority of the Town Council members, including the Mayor, have no short-term rentals in the block where they live, or at most, only 1 or 2. I assume that this disparity exists because these council members are protected by covenants or an HOA that prevents short-term vacation rentals in their “neighborhoods.”
In the Historic District of Cape Charles, we are not afforded the luxury of an HOA.
The only protection that we have is you, our town council, elected to protect our sense of community, safety, and quality of life.
Designating short-term vacation rentals as “by right” does nothing to protect us.
Establishing a conditional use permit might slow the proliferation of short-term vacation rentals, but ultimately does nothing to protect us from being over-run by short-term vacation rentals.
On November 2, 2023, after months of meeting to come up with a compromise to the short-term vacation rental problem, the town manager’s designated committee proposed, among other things, placing a limit on the number of short-term vacation rentals allowed in the Historic District.
Of everything that has been discussed, placing limits on the number of short-term vacation rental units in the Historic District is the only option that provides a compromise between those who want unlimited proliferation of short term vacation rentals, and those who prefer the quality of life resulting from placing a limit on how many short-term vacation rentals may exist in the Historic District of Cape Charles overall, or by individual blocks.
If you approve the by-right option, or the conditional use permit option, you are saying that you are ok with the 500 block of Monroe Avenue having 12 short-term vacation rentals, and you are ok if that number increases to 15/20/25/29, which would be every house in our block.
Councilman Butta and Mayor Charney have been transparent in acknowledging that they derive income either from owning or managing one or more short-term vacation rentals.
Before you cast your vote on whatever short-term vacation rental ordinances are ultimately proposed, I would ask you all to be transparent and acknowledge how many short-term vacation rentals exist in the block where you live.
Search your hearts.
In the spirit of maintaining a sense of community in the Historic District of Cape Charles, remember the value of The Golden Rule.
About the Author
CCM: The only protection that we have is you, our town council, elected to protect our sense of community, safety, and quality of life.
ME: As if the town council even has a clue as to what your sense of community, safety, and quality of life really are.
‘When Will the Town Protect Our Sense of Community, Safety, and Quality of Life.’
When the Come-Heres stop chasing tourist dollars.