Commission approves short‑term rental for duplex unit at 2120 North McBride; staff notes basement bedroom not code‑compliant

The Independence Planning Commission unanimously approved case 254002 Tuesday to allow one side of a duplex at 2120 North McBride (applicant Louis Galloway) to operate as a short‑term rental.

Staff said the property sits on the Independence–Sugar Creek boundary, is part of a four‑duplex subdivision and has a 2‑car‑wide driveway with one half for guest use, meeting off‑street parking requirements. Each side of the duplex has approximately 885 square feet of livable area with two bedrooms on the main level; staff noted a basement room shown as a bedroom does not meet building‑code requirements and therefore cannot be advertised as a bedroom on booking platforms.

Applicant Louis Galloway said he is an owner‑occupant on the adjacent unit, described this as his first short‑term‑rental application, and told commissioners he intends to maintain the property and inspect it frequently between turnovers. Staff outlined standard conditions for approval including noise monitoring, Good Neighbor guidelines, transient guest tax, business licensing and a required fire‑prevention inspection before the business license is issued.

Planning commissioners asked staff to confirm that the fire‑prevention division’s review and business‑license process were integrated in the city’s rental‑management software. Staff said the fire‑prevention division requires business‑license applications in the system they use and that compliance with fire code will be a condition of licensing.

The commission approved the short‑term‑rental application 7–0. No members of the public spoke for or against the application.