Kennebunkport Selectman Alan Daggett should be commended for initiating an affordable housing program by relaxing restrictions on accessory apartment in Kennebunkport. The current regulations are unnecessarily restrictive and preclude opportunity for folks unable to afford real estate in our town to become residents. The solution Daggett suggests in a win-win. The town gains affordable housing for people starting out who may work in the area and homeowners can leverage their increasing property costs with rental income. There is no capital cost to the town and there may be revenue sources to cover impact costs.

If town officials are fretting about impact on services, there are many solutions without being restrictive as the code enforcement officer and town manager were suggesting. The town can and should raise revenue to cover costs by impact fees on those who will add to sewer and trash burdens.

The fear has always been that summer rentals generate disproportionate impact, so why not levy a higher fee on that use? Incenting year-round rental is appropriate because currently, landlords can generate more income by renting their property for three months of summer than for a year-round lease. Last year I referred a young couple who sought to live near family and workplace to folks who have a small rental house in Cape Porpoise. The owners declined the opportunity because they can make more on summer visitors. An area teacher I know of could not find year-round housing for the same reason. If we let this be the case, and with rising property taxes coming, young people looking to work here and older residents on fixed incomes will be supplanted by wealthy out-of-staters with no real commitment to the town. Lets make a policy based on common sense and what is best for town residents encouraging diversity and opportunity, not needless regulation.

Richard Perry

Kennebunkport