Zoning board denies request to allow short-term rental at 555 E. Milton St.

The Board of Zoning Appeals denied an appeal to allow limited lodging at 555 E. Milton St. at its April 21 meeting.

Brent Barnes, chairman of the Board of Zoning Appeals, moved to deny Appeal #26-005 after Zoning Inspector Shane Howard told the board the property is zoned R-1, where limited lodging is not a permitted use under Sec. 1122.03 of the land-use table and related provisions require the property owner to occupy the dwelling at least 51% of the year. Barnes said the record showed no hardship to justify a use variance and noted the property’s separate rear lot still shares utilities with the main house after a 2006 replat.

A resident who spoke in opposition, Cheryl Barrett of 538 E. Milton St., said she had lived in the neighborhood for 32 years and objected to a short-term rental on the street because it would “cause more traffic” and could change the family-oriented character of the block. No appellant or appellant representative appeared at the hearing to present arguments in favor.

After brief discussion among members, Herbert Watson seconded Barnes’s motion. Vice Chairman Mike Aeling and member Jesus Mireles Quezada joined the vote; the motion carried with all members present voting to deny the appeal.

The denial means the owner may not operate the property as limited lodging without further action; Zoning Inspector Shane Howard noted the property’s utility arrangement and 2006 replat in the file but did not identify a regulatory path that would permit short-term rentals without a change to the zoning classification or code text.

The board moved to the next agenda item following the unanimous vote.