HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (WTOC) – Beach towns in our area have a particular reliance on tourism and vacation rental properties play a big part in that.
The short-term vacation rental conversation on Hilton Head Island is relatively new, making each step forward a critical one to the future to this issue.
This week the town approved recommendations to study high-occupancy STVRs and put performance standards in place.
“The problem that we run into is that in traditional neighborhoods on Hilton Head in some cases like the one behind me on North Forest Beach, houses used to be in the neighborhood of 1,100 square feet, 1,500 square feet,” Public Planning Committee Chairman David Ames said.
He says the larger rental properties create problems with parking, but also with workforce housing.
“When a short-term rental transitions from a long-term rental to a short-term rental, somebody has lost an opportunity to live on the island,” Ames said.
With their downfalls, come a great economic boost to businesses so there’s a lot for the town to balance and consider in these discussions.
“We need to understand their impact on the economy and then on the quality of life for residents.”
We know this will be a hot topic here on the island for years to come as the town figures out what do with these STVRs. Along the way we’ll keep you updated on air and online at WTOC.com.
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