Sunday, May 5, 2024
Residents weighed in on Airbnbs:
“I do not approve of these and am totally against them. For the
ridiculously exorbitant taxes that we pay to live here, the absolute last issue I want to be dealing with is partying short-term rentals.”
— Agatha Nadel, Glen Head
“When I was renovating my home I was looking for a place to stay for six weeks, and there were a bunch [of Airbnbs] already locally. Most were full homes or a cottage on a property where the owner lived, and on some of the listings there were restrictions that said no events or parties.”
— Deborah Gordon, Glen Head
“I think it would bring a lot of people to the area in the summer time, especially waterfront properties.”
— Alexis Slaughter, Glen Cove
“If properly regulated, and it can be, it could be a good thing.”
— Linda McCormack, Sea Cliff
“What evidence is there that all these Airbnb users are such a
nuisance to the community? It can be a source of revenue, not just for the person renting, but those people are eating and drinking in our neighborhood and supporting our local businesses.”
— Nick Martino, Sea Cliff
For $185 a night you can stay in a cozy Glen Head home with three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms and a funky charm all its own. Despite its five-star rating on Airbnb, neighbors of the home, at 53 Todd Drive East, have filed complaints with the Town of Oyster Bay’s Code Enforcement Bureau, expressing concern about the rental’s potential negative effects on the community.
“How can hotel-type homes come up in a residential area, and what kind of laws are there to prevent or mitigate that?” said John Dussel, vice president of the Todd Estates Civic Association. “Having people we don’t know coming in and out of our neighborhood at all times is a concern. Here we have a house within 100 feet of the high school that’s being rented to people, and we have no idea who they are.”
Dussel first learned of the property earlier this month, when a neighbor recognized it on Airbnb’s website and brought it to his attention. After confirming the address, Dussel, along with George Pombar, the president of the association, filed a complaint with the bureau alleging a potential violation of the town code.
According to Marta Kane, a town spokeswoman, the bureau issued a notice of violation for “alleged business in a single-family dwelling” to the homeowner, Robert Grayson. She explained via email that if the town did not hear from Grayson by the end of the month, the bureau would reissue the notice.
Grayson, who grew up on Long Island and attended North Shore High School, explained in an email to the Herald Gazette that he was renting out the home as a means to maintain the property, which once belonged to his late father. “Over the years I have suffered the loss of my brother and sister, my mother and most recently, my father,” he said. “My father lived in Glen Head for 40 years, [and] as the remaining generational survivor of my family I am winding up the affairs of my dad.”
The worldwide pandemic has threatened many of the businesses you rely on every day, but don’t let it take away your source for local news. Now more than ever, we need your help to ensure nothing but the best in hyperlocal community journalism comes straight to you. Consider supporting the Herald with a small donation. It can be a one-time, or a monthly contribution, to help ensure we’re here through this crisis. To donate or for more information, click here.
Sponsored content
Other items that may interest you