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Opelika residents and innkeepers urge council to reject new bed‑and‑breakfast restrictions
Summary
The City Council heard public comment and reviewed two competing drafts of a bed‑and‑breakfast zoning ordinance; local innkeepers asked the council to reject both amendments and consider the original institutional zoning request.
The Opelika City Council on Oct. 7 heard competing drafts of a proposed bed‑and‑breakfast zoning amendment and public comment from two local innkeepers who asked council members to vote down both versions.
City Attorney Guy Gunner outlined differences between the two drafts, describing one as a "more restrictive" version that would require the property owner to live on the premises and limit guest lodging to the principal dwelling unit, and another, "less restrictive" draft that would allow an owner to live anywhere inside the city limits while requiring the innkeeper or operator to be on call within city limits during guest occupancy.
The matter drew comment from Heritage House co‑owner and innkeeper Leif Espland, who said he was speaking on behalf of Opelika’s only bed‑and‑breakfast and asked council to reject both proposed amendments. "The most pressing one in the immediate for us is the provision ... that the…
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