Board approves municipal-garage permit for one-bedroom vacation rental at 70 Abbot St, requires ad disclosure

The Planning & Zoning Board approved a use-by-exception allowing one municipal parking garage permit for a one-bedroom short-term rental at 70 Abbot Street, but required the property’s advertising to disclose that parking is off-site and not guaranteed.

Staff said the property—built in 1890 and now a one-bedroom short-term rental—lacked on-site parking and that the applicant had contacted three nearby property owners about renting spaces; one offered a space for $1,000 per month, another rescinded an offer, and one declined. The municipal garage functions as a pass system without assigned stalls; staff called it a “hunting pass,” meaning permit holders must search for parking on arrival and availability is not assured.

Applicant Mandy Sears testified under oath that she had explored options and that one neighbor offered a better rate but would not submit documentation. Board members discussed whether the applicant had exhausted alternatives, the garage’s limitations during special events ("nights of lights"), and whether the advertisement should state the garage’s availability is not guaranteed.

In a motion, the board approved PZB-2026-0033 with a condition that all advertisements for the unit state that parking is off-site at the municipal parking garage and that availability is not guaranteed. The clerk called the roll and the motion passed.