By Dylan Marsh
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
CLAREMONT — On December 5, 2022, the Claremont Zoning Board granted a special exception variance approval to the Carlson’s Edelweiss Blue Chateau, on Winter Street, allowing them to continue to operate. The variance for the Carlson’s came after it had come to the attention of city administrators that a number of short term rentals had popped up around the city without being approved by the zoning board.
According to owner and operator Robert Carlson and his wife and business partner Kathleen Carlson, the pair bought the building in 2018 from the Claremont Savings Bank. Both Carlsons have worked in the service industry for a combined 90 years all across the country, and looked to start a hospitality business of their own. The Carlsons, who bought the house from foreclosure, said it has always “been their dream” to operate a bed and breakfast.
The Carlsons stated to the zoning board on Monday that they have been successfully operating the bed and breakfast for the last year to rave reviews. They also have pointed out that they have not had any issues with the neighbors, with zoning board members acknowledging that despite being in operation for a year they had not even heard that the location was offering this service.
City planner deForest Bearse informed the zoning board at the meeting that while short term rentals were not allowed in the city charter, bed and breakfasts are defined and allowed within the city center, which 463 Winter Street is not. This requires the board to offer special exception, which largely takes into account how the proposed use of the property would affect the neighborhood. In this specific instance, the variance would also instruct the Carlsons to be certain that their septic system is in line with city and state requirements before continuing. In regard to issues such as the septic system, the Carlsons spoke of intending on having an attorney present but that she did not show up to the meeting.
As to the neighborhood, neighbor Richard Seaman attended the meeting, with the sole purpose of speaking to the success of not only the business but the improvements that having the Carlsons in the neighborhood have brought to the city.
“It was really abandoned and went through a lot of vandalism. Having the Carlsons come into the neighborhood has been wonderful,” said Seaman, urging the zoning board to consider granting special exception to the property.
As it stands now, there continue to be a number of short term rentals still available on the popular short term rental app “AirBnB” available to rent in the city of Claremont, whether through variance, special exception, or a misunderstanding on the owners part.
The issue of short term rentals operating as business models specifically through “AirBnB” have been a point of contention in a number of local towns recently, as the local housing opportunities become critically low.
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