Florence Board of Zoning Appeals approves special-exception permit for short-term rental at 353 Timrod Park Drive

The Florence City Board of Zoning Appeals on Oct. 23 approved a special‑exception use permit allowing the owners-occupants of 353 Timrod Park Drive to rent an attached mother‑in‑law suite as a short‑term rental.

The permit was approved after a staff presentation, applicant testimony and public comment. The board’s motion cited compliance with zoning and the Unified Development Ordinance and the materials submitted with the application.

City staff explained the property sits at the intersection of South McQueen Street and Timrod Park Drive in the Timrod Park overlay district and is zoned NC‑6.2 (neighborhood conservation). Elaine (city staff) said the applicants told staff they will live on the property full time and intend to rent only the attached mother‑in‑law unit; she said the applicants have agreed to keep a registry of guests and to prohibit parties and events. “They have agreed that … they would keep a registry of people that are there, no parties, no events,” Elaine said.

Applicant Colin Smith, who said he and his wife manage other short‑term rentals in Florence, told the board they maintain properties daily and expect to manage the Timrod Park unit themselves. “We will be on property frequently,” Smith said, adding that his downtown property’s improvements prompted neighboring homes to renovate as well. Smith said the house the applicants are purchasing was built in 1936 and that they plan to close on the purchase Oct. 2.

A neighborhood resident, Sandy Feaster of 316 McLeod Street, spoke in favor of the application and said the house has been vacant for some time. “I’m really delighted that someone’s actually moving into the house,” Feaster said, adding that added upkeep would benefit neighborhood appearance.

Board members asked staff and the applicants about advertising, parking, inspections and safety equipment. The applicants said they plan to list the unit on Airbnb and Furnished Finder (a platform commonly used for midterm furnished rentals) and will not post signage beyond a house number. They confirmed on‑site parking exists, that the owners will provide smoke detectors and a fire extinguisher, and that they will comply with city business licensing and accommodation‑tax requirements. Elaine said the city does not perform routine inspections after permit issuance unless it receives complaints, and that the zoning permit is intended to ensure code compliance at issuance.

During discussion, staff noted that city code enforcement has previously identified illegal whole‑house short‑term rentals advertised online in the Timrod Park area, but said this application appears to meet code standards. The board’s motion approving the special exception incorporated the application materials and the requirement that the use comply with the Unified Development Ordinance and applicable city ordinances.

Votes at a glance: The board approved the minutes of the board’s Sept. 4, 2025 meeting and approved the special‑exception use permit for 353 Timrod Park Drive. Neither vote was recorded by roll call in the transcript; the chair announced the motions carried.

The board concluded the hearing by offering the applicants a copy of the permit the next day and confirming the applicants would pick up required signage. No appeal period or follow‑up hearing date was announced during the discussion about this case.