Resident asks Strongsville council about operating historic B&B and event barn; staff cites zoning, code and gas‑line constraints

Deborah Thomas Lemmers addressed the Strongsville City Council during the Feb. 18 public comment period to ask whether a historic property she and her husband own at 9160 Albion Road can be used as a bed‑and‑breakfast or to host events in a restored barn.

Lemmers said the house, built in about 1830 and formerly a hotel, has been operated as an Airbnb but she heard the city adopted an ordinance prohibiting short‑term rentals. She told council the couple lives on the property, runs rentals as a partial‑house B&B, and would like to expand uses to include weddings, dances and other community events and to explore rezoning or a “travel service” designation to permit broader marketing beyond platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo.

Law Department staff responded that the property owners need to contact the building department before pursuing short‑term rental activity. Mr. Jamieson said the city has adopted an ordinance that does not allow short‑term rentals and “there’s no provision in there for exceptions.” He added that certain event uses the couple proposed would not be permitted under the current zoning and that neighbors would have an opportunity to weigh in if a rezoning application were filed.

Jamieson also warned that the property contains a high‑pressure gas line that runs down the middle of the parcel, which limits some building and site work. He said building‑code compliance is required before the city will entertain other approvals and that Planning, Zoning and Engineering staff (Mr. Painter and Mr. Smarrigan) have had multiple conversations with the owners and will continue to work with them on options.

Lemmers described interest from the Strongsville High School theater group to use the barn and said the building has attracted bands and community groups; she asked about hosting weddings, baptisms and other events and noted she was not seeking liquor service. Council staff advised her to contact the building department and Planning, Zoning and Engineering to discuss rezoning and steps to bring the facility up to code.

The public comment was limited to five minutes. No formal action or vote on rezoning or permits occurred at the meeting; staff direction was limited to advising the property owners on permitting, code compliance and zoning steps.

Ending: Council staff offered contact points in the building and planning departments to follow up; the public comment period closed and the meeting proceeded to ordinance and resolution votes.