Commission OKs short‑term rental rezoning for historic Center Hill Church Road property, removes event component

The Walton County Planning Commission approved a rezoning and conditional-use application (Z250001) to allow two historic houses at 4850 Center Hill Church Road to be used as short‑term rentals. The applicant, Ben Myers of Table Ventures LLC, requested rezoning from R‑1 to A and had included a conditional‑use request for small events and an appeal of ADA requirements.

Myers told the commission the property includes two finished dwellings: a 1,900‑square‑foot main house and a smaller 320‑square‑foot original house behind it. He said both structures would be offered as short‑term rentals; he described past family gatherings and said parking is available on the 2.2‑acre lot.

During the hearing commissioners and staff discussed whether the short‑term rental and event uses would trigger ADA and building‑occupancy requirements. Planning staff and commissioners noted that the county’s short‑term rental ordinance includes ADA language and that the Planning Commission can consider an appeal related to that local requirement. The commission clarified that an event facility (public events) would trigger state and federal ADA and building‑occupancy standards that the Planning Commission could not waive.

After discussion the applicant and commission agreed to remove the small‑events conditional use from the application and proceed only with short‑term‑rental approval for both houses. A motion to approve the rezoning and conditional use as amended (short‑term rentals only, with local ADA requirement waived for the short‑term‑rental component) passed by voice vote. Commissioners noted that building‑code and fire‑marshal occupancy requirements for future commercial uses remain applicable and should be confirmed during permitting or if the use later changes.

No speakers registered opposition at the hearing. The commission voted to approve the amended application by voice vote.