Robin Busby bought the former Inn at Rose Hall at 56 Hillside. It had a Conditional Use Permit to operate as a bed and breakfast, but the owner before Busby used it as a showplace for antiques. Busby asked Planning commissioners at the Oct. 13 meeting to reinstate the CUP for five B & B units. “I expect to put the money into that it deserves,” she said. Busby plans to reside on-site and agreed to the stipulations regarding advertising and serving breakfast.
Greene said the property was built as tourist lodging and would not work as a single-family residence. She also noted that Busby would need a variance because she is located within 200 feet of other tourist lodging. All voted in favor of reinstating the CUP, with the required variance.
Marcia Yearsley asked to transfer a one-unit CUP at 2 Grand Ave. She said this was the first B&B in the state, opened in the 1980s. When the Writers’ Colony bought the property, the farmhouse was left to deteriorate. “I stepped in to save the house and give the Colony some cash,” she said.
Yearsley went to explain that the house is almost at the city limits, in an area with little traffic. The property has six parking places. Yearsley said in addition to using the house as tourist lodging, she would make it available to the Colony.
Chair Ann Tandy-Sallee said, “I have some concerns about this.” The commission had worked to eliminate any new tourist lodging in residential areas. Tandee-Sallee said she needed more information before making a decision.
Greene said the transfer of a CUP would require a public hearing, with notices mailed to neighboring properties, and Yearsley asked for an expedited hearing to allow her to open for business. She explained that her application had already been delayed because she missed the publication date by one day.