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Strongsville resident seeks rezoning and B&B/event permits for historic property; city cautions on short‑term rental ban, code and gas‑line limits
Summary
A Strongsville resident asked council about operating a bed-and-breakfast and holding events in an 1830 barn and sought rezoning; the city law director said a short‑term rental ban exists, the owners must contact the building department and some uses are prohibited by zoning and a high‑pressure gas line.
Deborah Thomas Lemmers addressed Strongsville City Council on Feb. 18 to ask whether short‑term rentals such as Airbnb are allowed and to describe plans to operate a bed‑and‑breakfast and use a historic barn on her property at the corner of Albion and Pearl Road for weddings, performances and other events.
Lemmers said the house — built in 1830 — has been run as a rental while the owners are present and that they would not operate it as an absentee short‑term rental. “I heard that there’s, like, a new ordinance that… you can’t do rentals anymore like that. Is that true?” she asked the council during the public‑comment period.
Law Director Jamieson responded that the owners had been directed to speak with city building officials before pursuing an Airbnb or other short‑term rental activity. Jamieson said the city has “passed an ordinance that does not allow short term rentals,” and added there is no provision in the ordinance for exceptions. He told Lemmers staff (including Mr. Painter and Mr. Smarrigan) have met with the property owners “on numerous occasions” and that, before any use could proceed, the facility must be brought up to code.
Jamieson also cautioned that some of the activities the owners proposed likely are not permitted under the property’s current zoning, and that neighbors would have input on any rezoning or special‑use requests. He noted a “high pressure gas line running down the middle of this property” that limits what can be built or modified; he cited the example of a commercial user (Tractor Supply) that could not make the site work because of the gas line and other constraints.
Lemmers described interest from community groups — including a Strongsville high‑school theater contingent that visited the property — and said the owners want to provide a historic experience, with small events and performances rather than the kind of absentee‑operated short‑term rental that sometimes produces disturbance.
Jamieson said city staff will continue to work with the owners. He advised the Lemmerses to contact the building department to confirm what upgrades and code compliance steps are required and to discuss rezoning possibilities with the planning, zoning and engineering department. No formal rezoning application or council action was taken at the meeting.
