Lorain Planning Commission approves several short-term rental properties; sets sights on marijuana dispensary regulation

LORAIN — Several short-term rental properties got the OK from Lorain's Planning Commission on Wednesday morning. Four properties were awarded conditional use permits to allow them to operate in the city. One property, 1020 Mildred Ave., was put on hold until owner Aida Teague could receive a report from a structural engineer regarding bowing in the foundation. Lorain passed regulations on short-term rentals in December, requiring each property renting out for less than 30 days at a time to register with the city annually, obtain a conditional use permit and supply off-street parking to tenants. The units had been hot-button issues at City Council and committee meetings leading up to the regulation's passage. Since then, a handful have come before the Planning Commission for approval. On Wednesday, those approved were 1103 E. Erie Ave, 661 Lakeside Ave., 229 Day Drive and 1827 E. Erie Ave. Michael and Diane Caruso, owners of 1103 E. Erie Ave., said they had been operating in the city for about six years before the Council put regulations in place. They said their property is fully booked for the solar eclipse on Monday. Teague, owner of 1020 Mildred Ave. and 1827 E. Erie Ave., said she purchased the properties several years ago and had put a lot of work into them in the interim. Her property on East Erie Avenue, which was granted its permit, received mixed feedback from neighbors who submitted to the commission. On Teague's behalf, Barbara Keplinger, who lives next door, submitted an email to the city about the short-term rental property. She lauded Teague's renovations of the home, including adding fencing to block renters from the cliff's edge. The property overlooks Lake Erie. Teague's neighbor on the other side, Betty Lee, submitted a letter against the short-term rental. Lee has been staunchly opposed to short-term rentals since discussions started. Lee's letter alleged Teague's fence was installed improperly and too close to her own fence, and that the rental could cause her problems parking in her driveway. Chief Building Official Dave Faciana addressed Lee's letter, stating he did not see an issue with the fence, noting he would not want a large gap between the two fences because of safety concerns. The fence is about 13 feet away from where the property drops off, said Evelisse Atkinson, city planning and zoning administrator. As for Lee's concerns about parking and impacts to her property's value, Mayor Jack Bradley cautioned Teague to be a good neighbor. He suggested Teague's property manager — as Teague herself is a resident of Cocoa, Florida — meet with Lee and other neighbors to address any concerns. Marijuana dispensaries With the legalization of marijuana now enshrined in the Ohio Constitution, Lorain will soon look to regulate dispensaries in the International City. The issue came up for a brief discussion at Wednesday's Planning Commission meeting. Dan Shaker with Rise Dispensaries said the company already operates a medicinal dispensary on Cooper Foster Road, and is interested in continuing business in the city on the recreational side. State applications for recreational sales are expected to open in early June, he said. Bradley asked if Shaker's company was concerned its revenue could be confiscated federally, as marijuana is still listed as a Schedule I drug. Schedule I drugs, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration, are those with no currently accepted medicinal use and a high potential for abuse. Other Schedule I drugs include heroin, LSD and ecstasy. Cocaine and methamphetamine are considered Schedule II. Shaker said there has been a push to reschedule marijuana to a Schedule III drug, alongside ketamine, anabolic steroids and testosterone. The Associated Press reported in August the federal Health and Human Services Department recommended reclassifying marijuana to a Schedule III. Shaker also said if federal officials were going to come after Rise Dispensaries' revenues, they would have a long time ago. Shaker said other cities like Lakewood and Cleveland are excited to host dispensaries. He said there will not be as many dispensaries in the state as liquor stores, and there are already regulations on where those sale points can be, including the requirement they be beyond 500 feet of a school, church or addiction treatment center. No formal action was taken on dispensary regulation in Lorain. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.