CLEVELAND — The White County Board of Commissioners has imposed a 90-day moratorium on any new applications for a conditional use permit in the county’s zoning process.
The action came Monday night after the board voted to deny another application by a homeowner for a conditional use permit, to allow for short-term rental of a home located in a subdivision. Concerns from neighbors in that subdivision prompted the action by the commissioners.
Commissioners, in a lengthy discussion, said they just want to get a handle on the situation, noting they expect several of this type zoning request to come before them.
It’s not a problem that only White County is facing. Many local governments are having to deal with it, as the Airbnb and vacation rental business continues to grow.
White County’s status as one of the most popular tourist areas of the state likely only will create more such requests.
Commissioners set a Jan. 17 meeting date get together with the county planning commission to discuss this issue.
“This would behoove subdivisions, homeowners’ associations, HOAs, however you would want to refer to them, to review their covenants for their subdivision to make sure they are current,” said Commission Chairman Travis Turner.
Turner said commissioners are not trying to control this type of business, but rather trying to find a way to make them work in the most unobtrusive way.
