At Monday evening’s Eureka Springs city council meeting, aldermen voted to send back to the Planning Commission the matter of a six-month moratorium on issuing Conditional Use Permits for Bed & Breakfasts in the R-1 and R-2 zones. Alderman Mickey Schneider pointed out the request for the moratorium came from Planning Chair Ann Sallee but was not voted on by the commission.
Alderman Bob Thomas agreed it would inappropriate for council to consider the request at this point, and Schneider moved they defer a decision until Planning has a chance to vote on it. Council could then discuss it in two weeks.
Alderman Kristi Kendrick stated she was against further commercial incursion into residential areas, so she wanted to proceed with the moratorium.
When asked his legal opinion, City Attorney Tim Weaver said council could do what it wanted, and offered a few options. Well-delivered opinions bounced pro to con around the table, but council eventually voted 5-0 to send the issue back to Planning.