Florence BZA approves special-exception permit for short‑term rental at 353 Timrod Park Drive

The Florence Board of Zoning Appeals approved a special‑exception use permit to operate a short‑term rental at 353 Timrod Park Drive after hearing staff, the applicants and a nearby resident during a public meeting.

City planning staff told the board the property sits across from Timrod Park in the Timrod Park Overlay District and is zoned Neighborhood Conservation (NC‑6.2). The owners of record are listed as Melissa Gaffney and Robert Lisonbee Beard; the applicants are Colin and Aaron Smith. The applicants told the board they are purchasing the house and expected to close on October 2.

The board’s approval allows the applicants to rent an attached mother‑in‑law suite while living full time on the property. Elaine, a city planning staff member, described the proposal and said staff found the application met the short‑term rental standards required by the city’s Unified Development Ordinance. “The owners will be living, full time at the house, and they would like to rent out the attached mother‑in‑law suite as a short term rental,” Elaine said during the staff report.

Applicant Colin Smith said the applicants have experience managing short‑term rentals and that on their other Florence property they perform daily maintenance. “We are in compliance. We are familiar with running short term rentals,” Smith told the board. He said the unit will be listed on Airbnb and Furnished Finder and that the couple will manage the property themselves; there will be no advertising signage beyond the house number.

A nearby resident, Sandy Feaster of 316 McLeod Street, spoke in favor during public comment, saying the house has been vacant and that having residents on site should improve upkeep. “I’m really delighted that someone’s actually moving into the house. It’s been vacant for a while,” Feaster said.

City staff noted practical details to be enforced by existing city processes: the permit applicant must obtain a business license and collect applicable accommodation taxes, and the zoning permit is intended to confirm compliance at the time of issuance. Staff also said the city typically pursues allegations of noncompliance when complaints are received or when illegal listings are identified online. Elaine told the board the site affords off‑street parking and an exterior entrance to the rental unit.

After discussion, a board member moved to approve the special‑exception use permit, citing the application materials and compliance with the Unified Development Ordinance; another board member seconded. “All those in favor, please signify by saying aye.” The chair recorded that the ayes had it and the special‑exception request was approved.

The board conditioned approval on compliance with the city’s applicable zoning and business licensing standards listed in the Unified Development Ordinance and other city codes; staff said inspections or enforcement actions would follow only if complaints or noncompliance were reported. The chair told the applicants staff would deliver the permit and pick up the public‑notice signs the following day.

The approval authorizes operation of a short‑term rental in the accessory unit with the owners residing on site and does not change the underlying zoning of the property. The board did not identify any additional conditions beyond compliance with the city’s short‑term rental standards, business licensing and accommodation tax requirements.