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Summerville council asks staff to draft bed-and-breakfast zoning changes after public complaints
Summary
Following sustained public comment about alleged code violations at local bed-and-breakfasts, the Summerville Town Council voted to direct staff to begin an amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance governing bed-and-breakfast operations, including room limits, management rules and events permissions.
The Summerville Town Council voted Jan. 9 to instruct town staff to begin drafting amendments to the town's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) addressing zoning rules for bed-and-breakfast businesses.
Councilwoman Tiffany Johnson Wilson, who made the request, said current UDO limits and management requirements are forcing some historic innkeepers to sell and that the changes would help preserve the town's historic homes and boost tourism. "Our current UDO restricts bed-and-breakfasts into two different categories and limits all of the current bed-and-breakfasts in Summerville to less than five rooms," Johnson Wilson said, adding that professional innkeepers and limited events would help operators remain viable.
The item followed more than a half-hour of public comment from several residents who said individual properties were out of compliance with existing B&B rules and urged enforcement before regulatory changes. Debbie Tomchak, who said she lives at 206 East Richardson Avenue, told council the planning commission had denied a spot rezoning and that an amendment should not be used to retroactively legalize properties currently cited for violations. "We would like to see enforced zoning compliance at 115 South Magnolia," Tomchak said. Other residents, including Peter Gorman, Bertie Crosby and Jim Healy, urged the council to maintain the protections of the UDO and the historic district overlay unless changes are carefully crafted.
Town Administrator Slatten described the UDO amendment process: staff will draft language, submit it to the planning commission for vetting, and then it will return to council with any recommendation. Several council members said they supported starting the conversation but opposed retroactive relief for owners with outstanding violations. Councilman Holter said he would vote to continue discussion but not to shield owners from fines or enforcement actions.
Councilmember Beard (second) and other members asked for a workshop and community outreach to craft changes before the planning commission finalizes recommendations. After discussion the council voted in favor of initiating the amendment process. The motion passed by voice vote; council recorded the ayes and declared the motion adopted.
Next steps include staff drafting proposed ordinance language and scheduling the amendment for the planning commission and future council consideration. The council did not adopt specific ordinance language at the meeting and expressly stated that ongoing enforcement and any fines existing against properties would continue to be processed under current law.
The full UDO amendment process will include public hearings at the planning commission and subsequent council readings, as required by town procedures.
