GAMBIER — Gambier council unanimously passed the village’s update zoning code Monday night, a project over two years in the making.
The zoning code ordinance was tabled at April’s regular meeting due to potential changes to the code — one being the attention short-term rentals received, whether a resident or non-resident of the village is allowed to operate a short-term rental, i.e. AirBnBs.
Once the votes were collected, council decided to allow residents only to operate short-term rentals.Â
According to the zoning code, short-term rentals may be permitted and a conditional use on properties where the owner of the property maintains their official residence within the village and resides in the village for at least 10 months of the year.Â
What was added to the zoning code is language that drew the attention of current property owners.Â
“Any short-term rentals on operation as of May 3, 2023 must file an application for conditional use is permitted. Such application must be filed within 120 days of May 3, 2023. Non-resident, short-term rental owners may be permitted to maintain existing short-term rentals for the duration of their ownership of a property, not withstanding their non-compliance with the residency requirement set forth in the above section, provided the owner meets all of the provisions of the code, the short-term rental was actively in operation as of May 3, 2023,” the code states.Â
Gambier is believed to have around 10 to 11 short-term rentals within the village, village administrator R.C. Wise said.Â
Another addition to the code is if the owner of the short-term rental doesn’t complete the annual filings, present evidence of residence in the village and insurance, that conditional use could lapse, village solicitor Clint Bailey said.
“I just want to say thank you to the council members and to Clint who’ve further developed the language in this,” council member Rakia Faber said. “I think I’m satisfied with how it reads now and I would love to pass the zoning code tonight.”
