No More
Good Boys Club.

Council Members,

I remain deeply concerned about both the process and the economic and community consequences of Ordinance 13-2025.

At the June 12th, 2025 meeting, no empirical data was presented to justify increasing the minimum stay from 3 nights to 7. There were no documented complaint statistics, enforcement summaries, housing analyses, or formal findings of fact demonstrating that the 3-night standard created measurable harm. A policy affecting property rights and local commerce should be grounded in objective evidence — not personal feelings.

Importantly, the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) gave a formal presentation at that same meeting. EDAC stated publicly that it was the original body that helped draft the prior short-term rental framework. Despite their extensive input, the City Attorney verbally chastised and removed the EDAC spokesperson from the room minutes before the meeting began.

EDAC stated on the record:

"After thoughtful discussion, we voted to recommend that no changes be made to the existing ordinance. We believe the proposed change would negatively affect a variety of businesses throughout town and would run counter to our broader goals for economic growth."

Despite that formal advisory recommendation — and without presentation of contrary data — the ordinance passed 4-3.

Since implementation, bookings have declined significantly. Guests routinely requesting 2–4 night stays for holiday weekends and city-sponsored events are now booking in neighboring towns. Memorial Day weekend, historically a peak 3-night period, is effectively eliminated. Not everyone can afford or schedule a full week.

Somers Point actively promotes bar crawls, theater performances, and Friday night beach concerts — yet a 7-night minimum makes attendance impractical for most visitors. Somers Point's own branding states that "The Shore Starts Here." A mandatory 7-night stay contradicts that message entirely.

Municipalities nationwide have faced costly litigation when short-term rental regulations were adopted without sufficient procedural or constitutional grounding. Litigation expenses are borne by taxpayers — another lawsuit is something this city cannot afford.

If documented evidence exists demonstrating that the 3-night minimum created measurable harm, it should be made public. If it does not exist, restoring the 3-night minimum would reflect data-driven governance, respect for advisory input, economic responsibility, and alignment with Somers Point's long-term interests.

I respectfully request that reconsideration of Ordinance 13-2025 be placed on the agenda immediately — and that Council reinstate the prior 3-night minimum, or provide the public a full evidentiary review of why the 7-night requirement was implemented.

Somers Point deserves policy grounded in facts, transparency, fairness, and community stability.

Respectfully,
[Your name will appear here]