Ahead of this year’s election, the CHSTRA reached out to each of the candidates running for Mayor and Town Council to get their take on STRs in our community. Below are each of their statements for you to consider as you head to the polls.
IMPORTANT CHAPEL HILL VOTING INFORMATION
**Reminder: Photo IDs are now required to vote**
Election Day is November 7
Early Voting in Chapel Hill: October 26 – November 4
Hillsborough Early Voting location opens October 19
Voter registration deadline: October 13 (Those who miss this deadline can register to vote and vote during Orange County’s one-stop early voting period with proof of residency.)
Absentee by mail request deadline: October 31
Candidates for Mayor
Jessica Anderson [Current Councilmember – Term ends 2023]:
No response yet
Adam Searing [Current Councilmember – Term ends 2025]:
No response yet
Candidates for Town Council
All candidates run at-large and serve four-year terms. Four seats are up for election this year.
David Adams:
“In summary, I would say my views mostly align with your group’s as stated with the exception of investor-owned STRs. As I said before, I value having STRs as an option when I travel and I especially like staying in homes rather than hotel rooms and meeting the owners when possible. I get a much better feel for the area and appreciate restaurant recommendations from residents. I am also very conscious that I am staying in someone’s neighborhood and take care to be a good neighbor. Chapel Hill’s STR regulations may not be perfect and can be amended based on experience, but for the most part are fair and reasonable.”
Breckany Teal Eckhardt:
No response yet
Jeffrey Hoagland:
“If people want to rent out their home on a weekend to go on vacation while someone else uses it so they can go to a football game. Both people get something they want and I don’t think the town should be stopping that”
Melissa McCullough:
“I support fair regulations of short-term rentals in Chapel Hill, but I do not currently have enough data or knowledge of current policies to provide a detailed description of my stance.”
Jon Mitchell:
No response yet
Theodore Nollert:
No response yet
Amy Ryan [Re-election]:
“After two years of community input, many discussions, and the solid work of the STR task force, I think Chapel Hill reached a reasonable compromise on STRs with our new 2021 ordinance — allowing some dedicated rentals in denser zoning districts and owner-occupied STRs in neighborhoods, for those who want to rent out their primary residence for part of the year. We also put in some sensible regulations, like permitting requirements, occupancy limits, and parking restrictions, giving current STR operators 18 months to come into compliance with the new rules. The STR ordinance is a good balance of protecting workforce housing in town, helping homeowners generate extra income that can make their primary residence more affordable, meeting the needs of visitors to our town, and addressing health and safety and nuisance issues. It’s a good start to a reasonable system that allows short-term rentals in town while protecting the safety of renters and the peace and privacy of neighbors.”
Elizabeth Sharp:
No response yet
Renuka Soll:
“A task force studied the situation on short-term rentals in Chapel Hill. I support the Council’s decision, based on input from the task force, on the regulations that are in effect right now.”
Erik Valera:
No response yet
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Current Councilmembers Not Up for Re-Election until 2025
Karen Stegman
Camille Berry
Paris Miller-Foushee