P&Z OK’s Maplewood’s first official Airbnb

The first short-term rental business — also known as Airbnb — was OK’d by Maplewood Plan and Zoning Monday since the city council approved an ordinance allowing them in October 2015.

Each Airbnb is a conditional use in Maplewood, requiring P&Z approval before going to city council, and notice to neighbors within 300 feet of the hearings by mail and a sign in the front yard.

See also: Maplewood planning and zoning sends B&B (Airbnb) ordinance to city council

Nick Deccio and Adelina Mart, who had one of the Airbnbs in Maplewood before the city knew they existed, were the first case before P&Z. Two neighbors came to the meeting on Monday. One questioned if Airbnb businesses are inspected, if the business license is displayed, if the number of renters is restricted. One asked how many renters they have had in the past year — Deccio said it was 60.

City Assistant Manager Anthony Traxler said the same laws that apply to any building regarding density and safety apply to a home owner running an Airbnb. He said Deccio and Mart’s house was inspected to make sure it is habitable for a renter. He said one had been turned down because the owners wanted to rent basically an unfinished basement.

Deccio said they use the proceeds to pay back student loans and to pay for his mother’s medication, and plan to stop the business when they can.

The Airbnb business will have its first reading at the Maplewood City Council on Feb. 9, where there also be a public hearing.

They also discussed if Hazel Avenue would be permanently closed by Tim Hortons. If so, it would still need to be accessible by the fire department.

The commissioners also approved the final development plan for the apartments in the Sunnen development north of Mini of St. Louis on S. Hanley Road, known as Sunnen Market Apartments.