01-16-1992 Regular Meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission

Browse Search

• • STAFF REPORT BED AND BREAKFAST INNS On January 16, 1992, the Planning & Zoning Commission met regarding the issue of Bed and Breakfast Inns. After discussion, we were directed to draft changes, as shown in Exhibit "A" to the Zoning Ordinance. In addition, we were directed to draft a "Licensing Ordinance" for control of the operation of said Inns. This ordinance is presented as Exhibit .,B.. - Prior to actually setting a public hearing to receive input on the ordinance change, the staff would like the opportunity to propose an alternative for discussion. The staffs perception of the purpose of a bed and breakfast inn is three-fold. First, it provides an alternative lodging facility for those individuals who do not care for the standard hotel/motel facility. Secondly, the inn makes use of a property of either historic or aesthetic value along areas such as the bayfront. Finally, as an income generator, a bed and breakfast inn offers incentive to maintain older structures of historic or architectural= significance. " Of note, however, is the fact that a bed and breakfast facility is a business. It is neither a single family nor multi-family residence, but it is actually a hotel facility. There is a constant turnover of occupants whether it is one day or one week. It does generate traffic . • and introduces increased amounts of activity in an area. For this reason, the staff feels that there should be more discretion in the location of these types of occupancies. It is the position of the staff that bed and breakfast inns should be allowed in R-1, R-2, and R-3 zones by a Special Conditional Use permit and permitted by right in the GC zone as are hotels/motels. The requirement of a Special Conditional Use Permit in residential zoning districts would allow the City to confine the location of the Bed and Breakfast Inns to areas more befitting the purpose of such a facility, ie., areas adjacent to or with views of Galveston Bay. At the same time, we could place the following types of restrictions on the facility: 1) Maximum number of guest rooms 2) Off-street parking 3) Maximum length of stays 4) Management/Ownership 5) Signage •