Crystal Wright appeared to discuss seeking a special permit to operate a bed‑and‑breakfast at 308 North Cayuga Street and explained why she purchased and intends to operate the historic property as a community asset and small business.

Wright said she bought the property in late 2021 with the intent to continue the previous owners’ approach to maintaining the home’s historic features while operating it as a bed‑and‑breakfast and occasionally making the space available for nonprofit meetings and community events. “We wanted to think of it as a community asset as well,” she said, describing the home’s use for staff retreats and neighborhood milestones.

Staff clarified the property’s permit history. Nikki Sarah, environmental landscape planner and staff to the board, told the committee that the prior owners had held a bed‑and‑breakfast permit while they lived on the property, but that during their final years they used the site as a cooperative house and are now using short‑term rental classifications. As a result, “there is no special permit right now,” Sarah said, and Wright will need to obtain a bed‑and‑breakfast inn special permit for the current use.

Sarah reviewed special‑permit criteria that are commonly applied to bed‑and‑breakfasts: the inn must be owner‑managed, exterior alterations are limited, guest rooms may not have individual cooking facilities (a single kitchen for the building is allowed), in‑house food service may only be provided to guests and occupants, and staff will prepare proposed conditions for the board’s resolution. The city’s practice is to issue bed‑and‑breakfast special permits on five‑year cycles, Sarah said.

Board members asked applicant to bring clearer neighborhood context, a context map and specifics about parking as the file proceeds to the full planning board. Max Viffer suggested that Wright present “a little bit more about the neighborhood context and how the place fits in,” and Emily Petrina, board chair, recommended a locational image (Google Earth or similar) that shows the site, adjacent library and any on‑site parking.

Staff also said that building compliance and a certificate of occupancy/certificate of compliance must be confirmed before final special‑permit approval; the committee indicated it might not vote final approval at the next meeting until building compliance items are cleared by code enforcement and building staff.

Action/status: staff confirmed there is currently no active bed‑and‑breakfast special permit for 308 North Cayuga Street; staff will continue to work with the applicant on building compliance and will prepare a draft resolution that lists operational conditions. The applicant will return to the Planning Board with a context map, parking and operation details; the committee did not vote on the special permit at this meeting.