By PETER HUSSMANN
The Newton City Council approved first reading of an ordinance that would expand the number of allowable guest families at a Bed and Breakfast Inns in Newton at properties over a certain size, possibly clearing the way for the former Maytag Guest House to be used for such a purpose.
Under the current statute, Bed and Breakfast Inns in Newton are allowed to accommodate a maximum of six guests families at one time. Under the new provisions under consideration, the maximum limit would increase to nine for properties between one and two acres and to 12 for properties over two acres.
In its report to council, city staff noted that while no specific applications are under consideration at this time, the issue was "sparked by inquiries regarding the former Maytag Guest House," a long vacant property located along South 12th Avenue West and now owned by the Jasper Community Foundation as part of Whirlpool's takeover of Maytag.
"Potential purchasers of this property believe that given its size (over 8,000 square foot footprint on over 8 acres), it would need to have more than six guest rooms to be feasible as a Bed and Breakfast," the staff report to council notes.
At Monday's council meeting, Dennis Combs, a local realtor, said that while he supported the development of such a project, he felt the city might need to look at the residency requirement regulations associated with Bed and Breakfasts in Newton. While the current ordinance requires owner occupancy, just what that means might need some clarification, he said.
Newton City Attorney Darrin Hamilton will research the matter of residency and present information to council on the owner occupancy issue prior to the council's second consideration of the ordinance.
Recent Comments