Published: May 21, 2007 11:38 am      

Will city invite B&Bs to come?

By MARY KAYE DAVIS

mary.kaye@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — City Council is expected to discuss a proposed ordinance tonight which will create zoning regulations for bed and breakfast establishments.

The meeting begins 7 p.m. at the Rolland Lewis Building in Veterans Park.

According to the proposal, which faces its first reading, bed and breakfasts would be allowed after a conditional use permit is issued in areas of the city which are zoned R-1 (low density residential), R-2 (medium density residential), R-M2 (medium density residential district and mobile home), and R-3 (high density residential district).

The bed and breakfast would also have to operate under a list of mandates, including the following:

■ the establishment has to be located within a single-family residence and would not be allowed in a mobile home;

■ no expansion of the residence would be allowed and all guests rooms would have to be located in the principal residential structure on the lot;

■ no more than 50 percent of the floor area of the residence and no more than three bedrooms would be allowed to be rented as overnight accommodations and each bedroom could serve no more than three guests;

■ each establishment would have to be owner-occupied and no other employees could be hired, other than family members’

■ the owner would have to maintain a guest register, which would be open to inspection by city officials

■ only breakfast can be served at a bed and breakfast establishment, and only served to overnight guests.

■ a guest could not remain for more than 14 days, or 60 days during a calendar year

■ there must be at least one off-street parking place for each bedroom,

■ the appearance of the home cannot be altered except for a non-illuminated sign not more than 2 square feet, and;

■ the bed-and-breakfast would also have to collect all Illinois and local motel taxes.

Additionally, if a written protest against the conditional use is signed by the owners of 20 percent of the frontage proposed for the conditional use, or by the owners of 20 percent of the frontage immediately adjoining or across an alley therefrom, or by the owners of 20 percent of the frontage directly opposite the frontage, the conditional useage would not be passed except by a vote of four/fifths of city council members, according to the proposed ordinance.

In other business tonight:

■ quote results will be discussed for street milling and street maintenance operations;

■ the city manger will request permission to seek bids for tactical vests, a traffic safety trailer, and pick-up trucks for the public utilities department;

■ first reading will be held on an ordinance to grant a conditional use permit for a day care to be operated at 3104 Cherry at the request of Toni McKinnies, and;

■ Mayor Mary Jane Chesley is expected to make appointments to boards and commissions.