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Resident seeks to operate historic house as short-term rental and event barn; city law says short-term rentals banned
Summary
A Strongsville property owner asked council Feb. 18 about running a restored 1830 house at 9160 Albion Road as a short‑term rental and expanding event uses in an on‑site barn; the city law director said short‑term rentals are prohibited and the property is not currently up to code.
Deborah Thomas Lemmers, a Strongsville resident and property owner, told City Council on Feb. 18 that she operates a restored 1830 house at 9160 Albion Road as a small short‑term rental and would like to expand use of an on‑site barn for events, weddings, dance nights and theater rehearsals.
“I heard that there's, like, a new ordinance that, that you can't do rentals anymore like that. Is that true?” Lemmers asked, adding the house is attended by the owners and that the rental is not an entire-house short‑term rental.
Law Director Jamieson responded that city staff had instructed the owners to contact the building department before pursuing any short‑term rental activity. “In regards to Airbnb, that's correct. We passed an ordinance that does not allow short‑term rentals,” Jamieson said. He added the ordinance contains no exceptions and that before approving other activities the property must be brought up to code.
Jamieson also told the owners some of the entertainment and commercial uses they described would be prohibited under the property’s current zoning. He said neighbors would have a say in rezoning decisions and noted a high‑pressure gas pipeline runs through the middle of the parcel, which limits certain building uses. Jamieson said city planning and building staff (he referenced Mr. Painter and Mr. Smarrigan) have spoken with the owners and would continue to assist, but that significant code work and potential rezoning would be required.
Lemmers said she and her husband, Ed Lemmers, envisioned weddings, performances and community events in the barn, and that the property had drawn interest from local theater participants. Jamieson told the council the owners have been directed to bring the building up to code and to consult planning and zoning for any rezoning application; he said staff would continue to work with them.
No formal council action was taken on the request during the meeting. Council closed audience participation after Jamieson’s guidance and moved on to the evening’s ordinances and resolutions.
