The Boerne Planning and Zoning Commission is looking to establish a subcommittee to develop criteria that will guide planners in approving or denying special-use permits for bed-and-breakfasts around town. The concept came up after handfuls of requests were brought before the planners during each meeting since the adoption of the new Unified Development Code last year.
Boerne Planning and Community Development Director Laura Haning reminded the planners last week that the new UDC updated regulations, requiring special-use permits for any short-term rental outside of the downtown overlay district and the River Road overlay district. Now, Haning said the short-term rental requests are treated much like zoning requests, as the city hosts BOND meetings with nearby residents before bringing the request to the planners.
One special-use permit request brought to the planners last week reignited an existing desire among the planners to develop the subcommittee. A homeowner on Wanda Street bought the home with the intention of renting it out just before the implementation of the new UDC which required the owner to obtain a special-use permit. Haning said as city staff scan short term rental sites – like Airbnb – for homes not registered with the city, they are finding several property owners who just weren’t aware they needed to seek a special use permit.