Planning board recommends special-use permit for short-term lodging at 203 River Road; applicants say unit will operate as a bed-and-breakfast-style short-term‑

The Town of Selma Planning Board voted to recommend to the town council a special-use permit request to allow short-term lodging at a residence identified in the record as 203 River Road (applicants and staff also referenced the address as 203 Brooklyn Road in places during the meeting; applicants provided alternate contact addresses during testimony). The parcel is described in the staff report as 0.33 acres in an R-10 medium-density residential district and is within the city limits.

Planning staff explained that the requested use is most closely described in the town code as a bed-and-breakfast (B&B), which is a permitted special-use category in R-10. Staff said the application appears consistent with the goals and objectives of the land-use plan and would be in harmony with surrounding businesses. The applicants, listed in the record as Bridal and Daphne Sullivan, told the board they purchased the home through family and intend to maintain and fix the property and operate short-term lodging similar to B&B or Airbnb-style rentals. An applicant told the board: “We purchased the home ... we really like the house, like the area. ... We're doing a lot of research on it.”

Board members asked about how the property would be managed; applicants indicated they would operate as hosts and use online platforms to advertise and screen guests. After staff entered the report and supporting documents into the record, the board voted to recommend the special-use permit to the town council; the board noted that the council will make the final decision.