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Cadillac City Council Supports Short-Term Rental for Former Airbnb Property

Overview of the Situation

In a significant decision for the downtown Cadillac community, the city council recently supported the reinstatement of a former Airbnb property as a short-term rental, contingent upon the owners applying for a special use permit. This decision follows a narrow 3-2 vote on April 21, during which council members Bryan Elenbass and Robert Engels opposed the motion. The property in question, located at 128 E. Pine St., has successfully cleared a crucial step in its rezoning process, moving from an OS-2 designation to a B-2 designation. This area, situated just a block from the busy Mitchell Street, is predominantly zoned for both business and multi-family residential properties, paving the way for the property to operate as a rental once more.

Detailed Description of the Property

The house itself stands as an impressive five-bedroom, three-bathroom residence built in 1905. With a sprawling 3,734 square feet of living space, it boasts attractive features such as a large pool and a spacious backyard, along with a convenient three-car garage. Currently, the house is on the market, listed at $759,900. This listing follows an acknowledgment from the current owners—who are part of a multiple-owner group—of previous missteps they made when the Cadillac Planning Commission initially approved their rezoning request in early 2023.

Background of the Owners and Previous Developments

One of the property’s owners, Sarah Glidewell, has shared insights regarding the financial decisions made after the purchase; nearly $250,000 was invested into enhancing the property to enable it to function as a rental. Subsequently, the group believed they had received all necessary approvals from the planning commission for their rental operations. However, the city council’s denial of the rezoning led to legal complications, with the city launching a lawsuit aimed at shutting down the Airbnb operations. In a compromise, the city permitted the owners to operate for two additional months to honor existing reservations, provided they covered the city’s attorney fees.

In response to these challenges, the owners engaged local attorneys to navigate the complex approval process yet again. After a unanimous endorsement from the planning commission, a public hearing was held, leading up to what would become a crucial vote. The tie-breaking decision was made by Mayor Tiyi Schippers, again allowing the property to pursue rental designation.

Community Support and Public Hearing Insights

Within the public hearing, numerous community members, including local business owners and neighboring residents, expressed strong support for the rezoning initiative. They highlighted the value of the Airbnb in promoting economic activity and tourism for downtown Cadillac, emphasizing that the property had previously commanded thousands of dollars for weekend rentals. In the lead-up to the critical vote, Glidewell and her co-owner, Matthew McCall-Stillman, presented their arguments to both the council and the public, stressing the viability and importance of their project.

Despite currently having the property listed for sale due to ongoing challenges, Glidewell indicated that they might still apply for the special use permit from the planning commission, which would enable them to once again capitalize on the property as a rental. The house has remained vacant for the past six months, not generating any income during this period.

Future Prospects and Considerations

Glidewell conveyed a sense of obligation to ensure that the property serves as a revenue-generating asset for both the owners and the downtown district. The owners are also aware of broader issues facing the city that may have contributed to previous miscommunications, resulting in the lawsuit and the subsequent months of uncertainty.

Additionally, Glidewell shared that various alternative uses for the property had also been explored, though many options lead to expensive modifications, such as installing an elevator to meet office zoning requirements—projects that could cost six figures.

Following the successful rezoning to B-2, the owners are contemplating various possibilities, including potentially applying for special use permits for hosting events such as weddings, baby showers, and graduation parties, alongside the option of restoring it as an Airbnb property.

Conclusion: Seeking Assistance with AI legalese decoder

Navigating the intricacies of zoning laws, special use permits, and potential litigation can be daunting for property owners. This is where tools like AI legalese decoder can provide invaluable support. This AI-powered tool simplifies legal jargon and helps users understand the implications of legal documents much more clearly. Whether the Cadillac property owners need to dissect municipal regulations or understand the terms surrounding their special use permit application, AI legalese decoder can make the legal process more accessible, ensuring they are well-equipped to make informed decisions about their property’s future. Glidewell’s hopeful belief that "if we built it, people would come" can finally manifest with the right guidance and legal clarity on their side.

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