Two requests to operate short-term rentals (STRs) in townhouses on Church Street were opposed by neighbors. They voiced concerns about changing the character of their neighborhood during a public hearing on Jan. 5.
The Board of Adjustments (BOA) approved conditional use permits (CUPs) allowing STRs at 377 and 381 Church Street after adding conditions to address concerns from neighbors, including who they can contact if they have any issues with someone renting the STRs.
“Being a short-term rental allows us to put … conditions on them…,” BOA Chair Tim Turney told neighbors in response to their concerns. “If they were just to rent (the townhouses) outright to somebody,” the BOA would not have “the right and obligation to set restrictions on them…” He also told the neighbors if they have a complaint related to a violation of the permit, they can contact the Planning Commission staff to address the situation.
Other conditions included a requirement that renters must park their vehicles in the STR’s two-car garage, and anyone who rents must be 25 years old or older to address concerns about college students staying in the STRs.
“I’m not going to spend the money to make this a beautiful place for people to come stay to have it destroyed, abused; nor do I want any of my neighbors to be abused (by actions of our tenants),” applicant Melinda Moore said. She told the BOA that she did not have a problem with the age restriction for renters or providing a contact number to neighbors who have concerns.
During the hearing, neighbors said approving the STRs will negatively affect the daily lives of the six people who live in the two townhouses next door to the townhouses proposed as STRs.
“These are our homes,” said Kathy Lawson, who identified herself as a Church Street resident for 12 years. After coming home from work, she and her neighbors want to sit in their backyards to get away from everything, Lawson told the BOA.
She said allowing up to 12 guests to stay at these STRs would negatively impact the privacy of the people who already live on Church Street.
“These are people that care for one another, look out for one another,” said Sharon Tankersley of the residents of Church Street. “We are invested in each other’s well-being in a way that only long-term residents could be.” She and Lawson also shared their safety concerns related to adding traffic to a very narrow street.
“Unfortunately, we have no control over city streets and congestion. I wish we did,” said Turney.
In their applications for CUPs, Moore (377 Church Street) and AJ Bruwer (381 Church Street) both stated they want to operate STRs in adjoining three-bedroom townhouses with a maximum of six guests and parking for two vehicles in a garage. Quiet hours would be from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., and there will be no events or large gatherings in the STRs, the applications stated. Those conditions were adopted by the BOA in motions to approve the CUPs.
The STRs would provide accommodations for guests and visitors who want to experience Versailles and Woodford County, said Steele Rouse, an attorney representing both applicants. He also noted the off-street parking in garages serving renters of these STRs would result in no traffic or parking impact for the residents of Church Street.
Under the zoning ordinance, STRs are a conditional use in the City of Versailles in medium-density residential (R-3) zoning districts. Both of the properties on Church Street are zoned R-3. STRs are prohibited in single-family residential (R-1) zoning districts, but allowed as a conditional use in the other residential districts, according to the city’s ordinance.
The ordinance limits dedicated STRs (only used by guests) to a maximum of six guest rooms/suites, and defines an STR as a dwelling unit or a portion of a dwelling unit leased for a tenancy of less than 30 consecutive days.
Both of Monday’s CUP requests were for dedicated STRs.
Election of officers
The BOA voted unanimously to keep the same officers this calendar year, so Turney will continue as chair with David Prewitt serving as vice chair and Ken Winkfield as secretary.