What Does the Proposed New Rockport Comprehensive Plan Say?

Well, first of all, it says A LOT.  Most probably more than busy residents have time to read — all 249-plus pages of it!  And we must be informed because so much is at stake for our little town.  

In fact, on Page 6, the Plan states: "The 2025 Plan will serve as an informative guide for land-use decision making over the next decade."  

If you would like to read the whole plan, go to the Town website, click government, then proposed Comprehensive Plan.

Now, there are several disturbing statements in this Plan, and I will quote from it to illustrate my astonishment.

Page 35: "There are a significant number of seasonal homes in Rockport."  

From my research, I believe about 5% of our residences offer vacation rentals.  

"There is an increasing trend in the number of non-owner occupied homes which are being converted into short-term rentals offered during the spring/summer months, resulting in a decrease of the available inventory of housing for the year round workforce."                 

Page 76: "Rockport has seen a growth of hotels [just one according to my count] in recent years...The growth of the short term rental market has led to decreased availability for fulltime and seasonal rentals to support the workforce housing shortage."

I admit willingly that I have corrected here several spelling and grammatical errors in the proposed Plan.

Page A20: "Short Term Rentals. Investors that [should be 'who'] buy a property for the purposes of a short term rental are willing to pay a purchase price based on the income value of a property. This typically exceeds what a homeowner intending to live in the property would pay.  Second, the rental rate for a short term rental typically far exceed the value a resident would be willing to pay for a year round rental occupancy.  This in effect makes rental property out of reach for workforce housing."

Having practiced in the real estate field in midcoast Maine for over 20 years, I find these statements to be ludicrous.  And no, Blackstone Investing in N.Y. does NOT buy or own real estate in Rockport, nor would they ever be interested in doing so.  I have inquired there and they thought it was hilarious.

Remember this: "In 2022, tourists spent more than $8.6 billion in Maine. Tourism supported 151,000 jobs. Visitors to the state [should be State] saved every Mainer $2,172 in state and local taxes in 2020."

Let's not bite the hand that feeds all of us here in Rockport.  

In closing, I know that this volunteer Committee worked hard and long on this proposed plan, but I must urge each and every voter to vote NO on question 3 on June 10.  The Select Board approved this plan, despite the important fact that only a few years ago, our voters, by a 70% majority, said NO to vacation rental regulation. 

Please remember that when you go to the polls in June.  Thank you!

Marsha Steinglass lives in Rockport