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Council to advertise two bed-and-breakfast ordinance options after planning commission split
Summary
City staff presented two proposed ordinance drafts to regulate bed-and-breakfast operations; one version was recommended by the planning commission and the other was not. Council agreed to advertise both for public consideration and return them at a future meeting.
City staff on Sept. 2 asked the Opelika City Council to authorize advertising two alternative ordinance drafts that would revise how bed-and-breakfast operations are regulated in the city's zoning code.
Matt Mosley told the council he had placed both draft versions on members' desks. Version A, the planning commission'recommended option, is the more restrictive draft: it would limit bed-and-breakfast operations to owner-occupied properties, cap guest rooms at six and prohibit events in residential zones (with a caveat that a private gathering by an owner-occupant would be treated like a normal residential gathering, not a commercial event). The Planning Commission in June gave Version A a positive recommendation, Mosley said.
Version B is the earlier draft submitted to the planning commission in January. That draft would limit eligibility to buildings at least 75 years old, allow outdoor events but cap them at no more than 10 per year, permit up to 200 attendees for events (subject to reduction for other factors), set event hours from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. with no amplified music after 10 p.m., and require on-site or nonresidential off-site parking for events. Version B received a negative recommendation from the planning commission, Mosley said.
Mosley told council members he prepared a comparison "cheat sheet" to show how each draft differs from the current ordinance. Council members asked that an absent council member receive a copy; Mosley said he would deliver it. Council agreed to authorize advertising both drafts; Mosley said the ordinances would return to the council at its October meetings for additional action.
Why it matters The two drafts reflect different approaches to balancing preservation, neighborhood character and short-term lodging uses: one prioritizes owner-occupancy and tighter limits on guest rooms and events, the other ties qualification to building age and allows a limited number of larger events with specific hours and parking requirements. Advertising both drafts opens both options to public notice and comment before the council takes final action.
What the meeting record shows - Version A: owner-occupied only; maximum six guest rooms; events prohibited in residential zones; positive planning commission recommendation (June). - Version B: limited to buildings 75 years or older; outdoor events allowed up to 10 per year; event attendee cap up to 200 (subject to reduction); event hours 7 a.m.-11 p.m., no amplified music after 10 p.m.; requires on-site or nonresidential off-site parking for events; negative planning commission recommendation.
Mosley said staff will advertise both drafts and schedule them to return for council consideration in October; no final ordinance adoption took place on Sept. 2.
