Cedarburg Plan Commission approves short-term rental permit for downtown studio

The Cedarburg City Plan Commission on June 1 approved a conditional use permit allowing a studio efficiency downtown to operate as a short-term rental with stays as short as one night.

City planner Mary introduced the item, telling the commission the property sits in the B3 Central Business District where tourist rooming houses are a conditional use and applicants may seek permission for stays shorter than seven days. Mary said the proposal covers a roughly 300-square-foot ground-floor efficiency and that staff recommended conditions including smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors, no outdoor fire-pit use, an occupancy permit and a room-tax permit, and that any interior renovations be reviewed and permitted by the building inspector before rentals begin. "Applicants are entitled to ask for permission to allow stays as few as 1 day," Mary said.

Applicant Andy Hildeson told commissioners the unit has existed in its current layout for decades and that the owners do not plan structural changes: "We're not changing the layout in the apartment at all. We're just dialing it up — paint and flooring — and make it look pretty again," he said, describing the plan as a modest, largely cosmetic update to prepare the space for short-term guests.

Commissioners asked whether a larger rehabilitation had been considered; the applicant said a full rehab proved financially unfeasible, and that the short-term rental is a compromise after a recent tenant moved out. Commissioners noted the city has supported similar short-term rental uses in the B3 district in the past and that downtown lodging options are limited.

After public-comment and applicant remarks, Commissioner Jack moved to close the public hearing; Commissioner John seconded and the commission closed the hearing by roll-call vote. The commission then voted to grant the conditional use permit, with Jack moving approval and John seconding. The motion passed unanimously. As conditions of approval, the commission adopted the planner's recommendations, including required inspections and the recording of the conditional use permit prior to the start of short-term rental operations.

Staff and commission members also noted a typographical error in the address listed in the hearing notice; Mary said the former assistant identified and corrected the error in the mailed notice and materials prior to the meeting.

Votes at a glance: • Motion to close public hearing — Moved by Jack; seconded by John; result: approved (unanimous roll-call). • Conditional use permit for downtown studio efficiency (allowing stays as short as one night) — Moved by Jack; seconded by John; result: approved (unanimous). • Annual ethics-code certification — verbally affirmed by commissioners during the meeting.

Next steps and conditions: The approved permit requires the issuance of an occupancy permit and room-tax permit, building-inspector review and permitting for any interior work, installation and maintenance of smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors, and full execution and recording of the conditional use permit document before any short-term rentals commence. The commission adjourned at about 7:15 p.m.

(Reporting note: the property owners' last name appears with variant spellings in the meeting record; staff confirmed the published notice was corrected. The city code citation discussed for room taxes in the packet was recorded as Ordinance 94-39.)