Neighbors say events, Airbnb use at Taylor Mansion violate permit; board tables review while owner is abroad

Neighbors told the board they have experienced repeated late‑night noise, parties, drumming and street‑filling parking tied to events at the Taylor Mansion (335 East 3rd Street) and said the property has been used as an Airbnb in ways they allege violate the property’s conditional use permit.

"The noise became so excessive, our windows were literally shaking," said Zane Platt Faulkner, a neighbor who described an August wedding with loud drums, a February Airbnb rental that became "a party house," and other events that, he said, left guests grilling on the front porch, trash in the street and guests yelling into the neighborhood. Zane said he and other neighbors have video evidence of multiple incidents and that police were called on several occasions.

Michael Platt Faulkner, who identified himself as Zane’s husband and neighbor, told the board enforcement has been difficult because many customers are one‑time visitors and financial penalties (such as forfeiting a security deposit) may not deter those guests. Neighbors also said they rarely observed a promised shuttle and reported repeated parking on Overton during events.

Staff told the board the prior conditional use permit included specific restrictions: sound restricted to indoor areas only, no amplified exterior music, shuttle service for events that exceed 25 attendees, and a rear privacy fence that serves as a vehicle grade guard. Staff also said the property owner is currently out of the country and that the board cannot add conditions or revoke the permit without the owner being present; staff said they would meet with code enforcement to review options.

Several neighbors — including Angelique Verberg (312 Overton), Cheryl Heater (313 Overton) and Zach Webber (316 Overton) — corroborated complaints about parking impacts, trash and repeated nighttime noise that they said is inconsistent with the neighborhood’s residential character. Verberg suggested alternate, lower‑impact uses for the historic building if the current operation cannot be regulated to protect neighbors.

Jim Jady, an attorney, asked to supplement the record in writing on the property owner’s behalf; staff said written materials could be filed before the next hearing. Because the owner was absent, a committee member moved to table BA 2601 until the applicant can attend; the motion passed on a roll call with Steve Matheson, Susan Whitehead, Nikki Bishop, Rich Livingood and Stephanie Seppen voting yes.

Staff asked neighbors to continue documenting incidents with nonemergency calls or emails and to submit video evidence so the city has a record to act on. The board indicated it would follow up with code enforcement and reconvene the case when the applicant is available to respond.