An application for a conditional use permit (CUP) to operate a short-term rental at 1430 Shore Acres Road was approved by the Board of Adjustments (BOA) after a public hearing on Monday, when neighbors asked questions and shared some concerns.
In her application for the CUP, property owner Rachel Gniady (Rocketfam, LLC) placed eight conditions on operating a short-term rental in the four-bedroom home, including up to 10 guests (and the person who rents the property must be 25 years old or older), quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 7 p.m., and the 24-hour availability of a local property manager if problems arise with a renter.
The BOA added conditions to its approval of the CUP for the short-term rental – no parties or events or outside guests, and no amplified music performances, including bands, DJs or karaoke –in response to concerns raised by neighbor Julie Springer.
“We don’t want any more short-term rentals,” Springer, who lives and owns properties on Shore Acres Road, said. “…We want neighbors.”
She told the BOA that she’s had issues with another short-term rental on Shore Acres Road not having an on-site manager and outside guests (people who are not renters) coming onto the property for “a big party.” She also shared concerns about allowing amplified music in an area where outdoor sound carries large distances. “So it’s serious, the noise issue down there,” she said. “So we don’t want any amplified noise…”
Kenan Mujkanovic, an attorney representing Gniady, told the BOA that his client has made a significant investment to restore the property because of damage caused by flooding.
“This project is especially meaningful” to Gniady because she was a victim of Hurricane Katrina, Mujkanovic said. He said Gniady, who lives in New Orleans, has owned and operated several short-term rentals over the last seven years.
BOA Chair Tim Turney and board member Tandy Pryor were absent, so Vice Chair David Prewitt chaired the meeting.
Variance in Midway
The BOA approved a setback variance so a two-family residence can be constructed at 330 Second Street in Midway.
The residential (R-2) lot fronts both First and Second streets, which was a significant factor in property owner Robert Feagin needing a 30-foot variance, Planning Director Steve Hunter told BOA members. Two-car driveways are shown on the plat for a duplex – one residence fronting Second Street and the other fronting First Street.
A neighboring property owner said she has concerns about parking on First Street, but Hunter told her a proposed 25-foot setback for both residences is adequate for a two-car driveway that will keep those vehicles off the street.
It was noted in the motion for approval that the shape of the property made the variance essential.
Hearing postponed
A public hearing on an application from Derrick Poor for a CUP to create an in-family conveyance lot on 34.881 acres at 6633 Fords Mill Road was postponed because there was no one representing the applicant at the meeting.