News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Cookeville Board of Zoning Appeals will review the establishment of a new bed and breakfast Thursday.
The North Maple Avenue proposed location is in a single family residential district. Planning Director Jon Ward said in order for a short-term rental to operate in that zone, certain conditions must be met.
“The property has to be owner occupied,” Ward said. “There is a minimum square footage requirement for the residence. No special events are allowed. You have to provide parking in the rear. None of the home can be modified to make it not look like a residential structure.”
Ward said the appeal is required based on 2017 guidelines the city put in place to protect neighboring properties.
“The property is located in a single family residential district,” Ward said. “In 2017, the city council revisited some of the requirements for short term rentals to establish additional requirements. Bed and breakfast homes are permitted in single family zoning districts as a conditional use. It is not a permitted use by right.”
Ward said all special request exceptions like this go through a public hearing process. Then, the Board of Zoning Appeals approves or denies the request. The board is set to meet on February 11th.
“The applicant has to demonstrate that they meet the conditions established by the zoning code,” Ward said.
Ward said bed and breakfasts can be established in multi-family and commercial districts without board approval.
