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COLUMBIANA -- The city's planning commission approved a site plan review for a proposed new AirBnB along South Main Street.
Colleen Marshall presented her plans to the commission last month, explaining that she would like to utilize the unused portion of the commercial building she owns at 135 S. Main St.
The AirBnB would be located on the second floor of the building that currently houses two other businesses on the first floor.
"With all of Columbiana's charm, amenities and events I couldn't think a more wonderful place to spend the day," Marshall said.
The building pre-dates the Civil War.
Marshall said she has a plan already in place upon the city's approval to operate and that all guests to the AirBnB would need to have good guest references and reviews and abide by the "House Rules."
The rules would include avoiding making loud noise between the hours of 11 p.m. and 8 a.m. and no smoking, and no pets.
She said that if a renter has a poor review they would not be approved to stay.
She also said that she would make it clear to renters that she is nearby and available to act as a guide and answer questions related to their stay.
Marshall is working with certified contracting companies to have the upstairs renovated for the new AirBnB and said they will only be working after normal business hours and on weekends so as not to interfere with the businesses already operating on the first floor.
Municipal Attorney Mark Hutson said that because the business is located in the commercial zoned district she is allowed to operate an AirBnB.
The city only recently began approving these types of businesses within commercial zones, under the new short-term rental law.
AirBnBs are not permitted within residential zoned areas.
He told Marshall she needs to make sure she complied with the short-term rental law and that she may need to work with the fire department for an inspection.
He also said she would need to seek commercial building let us through the new building department.
Hutson recommended the commission approve the site plan review subject to meeting the conditions of the commercial building permit and whatever is required by the building department, but also what is required by the zoning chapter and code.
The commission then approved the site plan review.
Also approved during the meeting were site plan review requests from Adda Groner-Bell for a dog grooming business at 131 N. Main St.; a final layout for 947 E. Park Ave. for the Lakes at Whispering Pines presented by Kevin Price of KDC Properties XII LLC; and a re-plat for 947 E. Park Ave. presented by Robert Schwartz, Total Generation Services LLC.