Board approves use variance for short-term rental at 7375 North Fulton Street

The Auburn Zoning Board of Appeals voted to grant a use variance permitting short-term rentals at 7375 North Fulton St, concluding the application met criteria for a variance and would not alter the neighborhood’s character.

Ally Colvin, attorney for the applicant, said the owner lives in one half of the duplex and that short-term rentals produce positive cash flow while a long-term rental would show a monthly loss. "When this property acts as a short term rental, you do see profit. It's in the green. And when it acts as a long term rental, you see a loss, a loss to the tune of almost $500 a month compared to, being in the green almost $100 or more," Colvin told the board.

Colvin acknowledged that some figures in the submitted financial worksheet were estimated and said the statement was prepared by the applicant and counsel using actual bills and footnotes, not a formal accountant-prepared statement. The board discussed proximity to the hospital and surrounding rental character as supporting factors; several members said the location made short-term stays a good fit for transient medical visitors and temporary workers.

Before voting on the use variance, the board unanimously adopted a negative declaration on the short environmental assessment form, finding no significant environmental impacts documented in the submission.

On the motion to grant the use variance, the roll call was: Steigerwald yes; Bilecki yes; Miller yes; Tamberrino yes; Kilmer yes; Odessa yes; Martini no. The motion passed by a 6–1 vote. The board advised the applicant to complete any required paperwork with the codes office as a next step.