Block Island Times

Planning Board crafts changes to promote housing

The Planning Board made significant progress last week in crafting draft changes to the zoning regulations on section 513 accessory apartments but got bogged down in the details when it came to some of the more novel changes. The meeting came a couple of days after the Planning Board had held what became more of a workshop or brainstorming session on the subject of attainable and affordable housing.One of those ideas was to allow a year-round homeowner to move into their own 513 accessory apartment and then to rent out their main house to others. For some it presents a way to enhance their income, allowing them to “stay” on the island. For others, it was a “way to create a business,” by adding more tourist rentals.One supporter of the idea said “It’s time to institutionalize this practice,” which some suspect is already occurring. Later the supporter said it was time to “either legalize the practice or enforce the violation.”A detractor, who has a 513 apartment, pointed out the potential for abuse. His example: “I’m here year-round, can kick out my renter, go live in my 513, rent out the house, and then in the winter, live in

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