But Tish Hatem, Planning Board Chair, says that even though meetings were on Zoom – without public comment sessions – the board still heard from many people regarding the issue.
And as the area moves toward a recovering 2021 tourist season, the issue is again foremost in the minds of many Southport residents, rental management companies, and city officials as evident when discussions began again during public comment time which was reinstated at the in-person April 15 meeting.
Seven individuals addressed board members and their comments echoed previous concerns, with some asserting that short term rentals, due to weekly turnover of high volume tourists, can distract from the friendly, neighborhood atmosphere of Southport.