Madison board approves special exception for short‑term rental, bookstore and craft studio at 111 East Main

The Madison City board voted to approve a special exception for 111 East Main Street, permitting a combination bookstore, short‑term rental and third‑floor craft studio. Applicant Chad F told the board he bought the building in October and described an 1,600 ft² renovation: a bookstore on the first floor, a short‑term rental on the second and a maker studio on the third.

Chad F said the second‑floor rental will be a three‑bedroom, two‑bath unit and estimated a likely maximum occupancy of “up to six adults and two kids.” He also provided written house rules and told the board the property will enforce quiet hours from 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.

Staff reviewed the packet and told the board six findings of fact were satisfied and recommended approval. Board members asked about parking and building access (the building lacks an elevator), and staff noted enforcement under the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) includes a violation process and the potential fine (described in the meeting record as $2,500 per day per occurrence) if rules are not followed.

A motion to approve the application based on the staff findings and with adherence to the submitted house rules was made, seconded and approved by roll call (Rick Ferris, Scott Baldwin, Carl England, Nancy Burkhart and Brian Emik voting yes). The board recorded that, under current rules discussed in the meeting, the special exception would run with the property deed and therefore remain with future owners unless conditions were otherwise imposed.

No formal conditions beyond including the applicants' house rules and compliance with applicable codes were recorded at the vote. The approval is subject to all standard permit and code requirements.