Submitted by the Vacation Rental Work Group.

For the last few months the all-volunteer Vacation Rental Work Group has been engaging the Orcas Island community to address the issue of short-term vacation rentals and their associated impacts. Please join us for our next meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Childcare will be provided.

The group’s extensive research and discussion continues to proceed while trying to define a clear direction for action. Past meetings have focused on presenting information on the growing number of vacation rentals and their impacts in San Juan County and other communities, and examples of actions to limit vacation rentals that have been taken elsewhere. This is not a simple issue and we want all segments of our community involved as ideas are developed about how to move forward.

In our third meeting on Oct. 23, community members will have the opportunity to ask questions and we will attempt to provide answers. While acknowledging the importance of individual choices, what we can do as a community will be explored. This includes discussion of reasonable specific actions to limit the impacts of short-term vacation rentals. It will require broad community involvement to make positive change and there are many opportunities for individuals to use their talents in support of this effort. For more information, visit vacationrentalsorcas.org.