Resident seeks rezoning and permits to run historic Strongsville B&B and events barn; city warns zoning, safety limits and a gas line complicate plans

Deborah Thomas Lemmers told the Strongsville City Council on Feb. 18 that she and her husband want to operate part of a restored 1830 house as a bed‑and‑breakfast and use an on‑site barn for weddings, dances and other community events.

Lemmers, who gave her address as 9160 Albion Road, asked whether a recent city ordinance banning short‑term rentals would bar their plans. "I heard that there's, like, a new ordinance that, that you can't do rentals anymore like that. Is that true?" she asked.

Law Director Jamieson responded that the city has passed an ordinance prohibiting short‑term rentals and that the ordinance contains "no provision in there for exceptions." Jamieson said the couple was advised to contact the building department and that before pursuing Airbnb-style operations they must bring the facility up to code. He also warned that some proposed activities likely would not be allowed under current zoning for the property and that neighbors would have a voice in rezoning requests.

Jamieson also flagged a physical constraint on the property: "There's a high pressure gas line running down the middle of this property. And that restricts some of the things they can do there from a building perspective," he said, noting the infrastructure complicates certain uses.

The resident described plans to advertise beyond existing platforms, to host weddings and community events, and to work with the high school's theater department and local music groups on performances. She emphasized that she and her husband plan to be on site when guests stay and that the rental would not be an owner‑absent short‑term rental. "We wouldn't cause that kind of an issue for the neighborhood," she said.

City staff present — including members of planning, zoning and building departments referenced by Jamieson — told Lemmers the next steps: contact the building department to confirm what upgrades and code requirements would apply and consult planning and zoning staff about rezoning options if the couple wished to pursue event uses not permitted in the property's current zoning.

How the council handled it: The council heard the public comment during audience participation; no formal rezoning or variance was requested or acted on at the meeting. Jamieson and city staff said they have spoken with the property owners and will continue to engage them about what code changes or approvals would be necessary.

What’s next: The resident was advised to meet with the building department and planning, zoning and engineering staff to determine whether the house and barn can be brought up to code and whether a rezoning or variance would be required to host the events she described.

The council closed audience participation and then proceeded to votes on ordinances and resolutions.