The Henderson-Henderson County Joint Planning Commission voted Tuesday to recommend an approval of an amendment to the city of Henderson’s zoning for short-term rental properties.
The recommendation revolves specifically around the rise of Airbnb or Vrbo rentals.
Henderson City Attorney Dawn Kelsey said the amendment is largely the same as what the Henderson County Fiscal Court currently has in place.
Some of the rules of the short-term rental property zoning are that a guest can’t stay at the property for longer than 29 days; sufficient parking for both the host and guests must be available, the host is not able to serve food; the number of occupants shall not exceed double the number of sleeping rooms plus two; and a local responsible party must be available to respond to problems 24 hours a day, Kelsey said.
This zoning would be allowable without a conditional use permit for a property zoned central business district, neighborhood business, general business, highway commercial and riverfront. Owners of properties zoned differently would need to obtain a conditional use permit from the Henderson Board of Zoning Adjustment, Kelsey said.
There’s also language in the change that ensures that the property does not become a nuisance to other property owners in a neighborhood, specifically so that it doesn’t become a party house.
Frank Boyett, a member of the planning commission, asked how a party is defined and said that short-term rental properties in other cities have become problems because of big parties hosted at them.
Parties that are “disruptive to existing neighbors” are prohibited on the properties and would be deemed as such if a complaint about a particular gathering is called in to police, said Brian Bishop, the planning commission executive director.
“So, it’s going to take a complaint to call it a party?” asked David Dixon, chair of the planning commission.
“I would believe so,” Bishop responded.
“I can live with that,” said Boyett.
Commission recommends Corydon change
The planning commission recommended a change in the zoning in Corydon that would allow a resident to live in a recreational vehicle temporarily during construction or reconstruction of a property.
The request for the change came about after Corydon resident Bob Martin asked the Coryon City Council to allow him to live in an RV on the property at 415 Main St. while his home is being rebuilt.
The residence was destroyed by a fire in February. Mary Lou Patterson died in the blaze.
The conditions of the ordinance, according to Chris Wischer, Corydon city attorney, include:
- The residence must uninhabitable
- The RV must be located on the lot in which reconstruction is occurring
- The RV can remain there for up to one year
- The RV can only be moved onto the lot after a building permit has been issued
- The RV must be removed within 15 days upon permit of occupancy of the residence
- The RV must be connected to water and sewer lines
Corydon Mayor Rhonda Smith said the Corydon City Council unanimously approved this at a Feb. 28 special called meeting.
“The city of Corydon, we do support this 100 percent,” said Smith.
Commission recommends approval of rezoning of Bentley Farm
The planning commission unanimously recommended to rezone the Bentley Farm, a 56.25-acre tract on Old Corydon Road and the Highway 425 Bypass, from agriculture to heavy industrial.
The land borders Pratt Industries to the northwest. Local officials said they are searching for an industry to locate there.