Housing and Short-term Rentals

 Nelson County, along with the rest of the Commonwealth, is experiencing a critical shortage of housing: rentals, leases, single and multi-family.  The county has the ability to take leadership in providing a supply of new housing for county, and for hope-to-be county residents.

  Expanding water infrastructure along the 29 corridor is one big step towards making this happen.  Partnerships with the county, Economic Development Authority, the Nelson County Community Development Foundation can follow.  Virginia Housing Alliance and the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commissions Regional Housing Partnership also pose creative opportunities. Land Trusts and Land Banks are an interesting option we may want to consider either by teaming with one that is existing or by forming one exclusive to Nelson County.

  The Nelson County Service Authority is upgrading water and sewer service in Lovingston and they are also, in partnership with the county, actively exploring the best option to provide additional supply, capacity and infrastructure south of Lovingston.

  County ownership of properties along the 29 corridor present the most real opportunity for both affordable and market-rate housing development. The county property on Callohill Drive already has the necessary water infrastructure necessary in place. The Larkin Property, that surrounds the Nelson County Middle and High Schools, has significant frontage on 29 and is ideally located for community housing.  Significantly reducing the cost of property and infrastructure from the housing equation makes real sense in making a home in Nelson a reality for families and individuals who work in the County.

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I believe strongly that both the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission should first agree on a specific list of goals that we want our STR ordinances and regulations to accomplish before proposing any changes to regulations or ordinances.  Our Comprehensive Plan lays them out clearly:

 ·      Create a significant stock of residential single-family homes and long term residential rentals.

·      Maintain a vibrant STR market in the county, and

·      Maintain livable communities throughout the county.

  To achieve these goals, we should consider restricting short-term rentals to Nelson County residents with a grandfathering provision at the time of implementation. Grandfathered permits and licenses should be non-transferable. These restrictions should not apply to Wintergreen as a Residential Planned Community.