Who is Save Highlands?

We are your neighbors and we have been part of the local community for decades. Many of us are full-time residents. One member has had property and family rooted in the town since the 1920s, another since the 1880s. We are not a group of faceless investors. We want to join together to unify Highlands, not divide it. We love our community and want what’s best for everyone.

Highlands is an inclusive family of year-round residents, seasonal homeowners, visitors, restaurateurs, artists, landscapers, retailers, housekeepers, entrepreneurs, builders, realtors, plumbers, electricians, and many others.  All these groups are inter-woven into the fabric that makes this town so special, and while some may not realize it, all of these groups benefit from vacation rentals.

For four decades the Town of Highlands communicated to countless property owners and visitors that there were no restrictions on vacation rentals. The Town has happily accepted rental tax revenue and welcomed renters for decades. That changed this summer when a small but vocal HOA voted to bring legal action against the Town of Highlands. On August 19th, the Town meeting opened with the statement “this is the beginning of a long discussion on vacation rentals.” By the end of that meeting, the Board had voted to ban them. The people and the businesses of Highlands were blindsided.

Mayor Pat Taylor and the Highlands, NC Town Council are attempting to ban or drastically reduce vacation rentals in Highlands. This includes all residential zones inside the town limits (R-1, R-2, and R-3). We need your help in fighting for our property rights and in protecting our local shops, restaurants, and small businesses that rely on tourism income, and the locals that rely on our 400+ vacation rentals for their income.

We’ve formed a committee to “Save Highlands.” The core group spearheading this effort is made up of vacations rental owners and local business advocates who love our slice of heaven. We want to keep it thriving and keep our local workers employed.

We all love Highlands, so whether you’re a local business, short term rental owner, or a vacationer, it’s time to come together to protect this place that we all know and love. I

On Thursday evening (10/21) the Town of Highlands stayed its decision to enforce its ban on vacation rentals in R1 until February 1, 2022 .

Importantly, the Town Attorney conceded that there was nothing in the UDO or the Town ordinances that addresses vacation rentals. He also acknowledged that the only way to address vacation rentals is by amendment of the UDO, which a working group is currently reviewing.

Also important for current vacation rental owners in R1, the Town Attorney agreed that current owners with an established history of use have vested rights in continuing the rental of their property. We will keep you updated on future public hearings on the issue.

The Save Highlands Committee has taken legal steps to protect personal property rights.
Read the filing in its entirety HERE.

Our Numbers Are Growing! Thank you For your Support…

Frank Scudder
John Muir
Paul Antinori
Gary Hester
Inmans Love Highlands
David Lond
Rebecca Wood
Holly Campbell
Charles Brown

Click to Help Save Highlands!

Old Edwards Inn Announces Support Of Vacation Rentals

“Old Edwards Hospitality Group is totally supportive of vacation rentals in Highlands and we always have been. There are simply not enough hotel rooms in town for the volume of visitors that have discovered Highlands and love visiting Highlands with their families. Banning vacation rentals in Highlands would have an immediate and drastic negative impact on us and all businesses in town that have come to rely on that additional room inventory over the last 20+ years. In my estimates you could be talking about well over $10-$15 million spent in Highlands’ businesses annually by vacation rental guests. How will all of us that have businesses in town replace that revenue?

Richard M. Delany
President and Managing Director
Old Edwards Hospitality Group

Where Are We Now and Recent Updates

09/22/2021 - Save Highlands Reps File Appeal
Representative members of the Save Highlands group have filed an “Appeal of Decision of Zoning Administrator” with the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The Appeal was delivered to the office of the Planning and Development Director and Stormwater Administrator. Simply put, an appeal is one of the many potential remedies prior to filing a lawsuit.

09/07/2021 - Old Edwards Announces Support of Vacation Rentals
Richard M. Delany, President of Old Edwards Hospitality Group, sends a letter publicly announcing support of vacation rentals. He outlines the immediate detrimental impact regulations will have on the town’s small businesses and the local economy.

09/03/2021 - Legal Update
Our attorneys with Allen Stahl + Kilbourne submitted a records request to the Town of Highlands and Mayor Pat Taylor. Copies have been mailed via certified letter and copied to the town attorney, Jay Coward. The certified letter is public. Please click here to view the letter.