Zoning approved for bed & breakfast and self-storage units

(Posted Dec. 21, 2022)

By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor

London city council has approved zoning changes for two pieces of property, one destined to house a bed and breakfast and the other a self-storage business.

London resident Alan Knowles plans to build a four-room bed and breakfast at the corner of East Center and Maple streets, across from M&M Diner and along the Roberts Pass portion of the Ohio To Erie Trail.

Following a public hearing on Dec. 15, council approved changing the zoning on the one-acre property from manufacturing to business.

Knowles said the bed and breakfast will cater to trail traffic and bike tourism but will be open to everyone. An avid cyclist, Knowles is a longtime member of Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails (FMCPT), the non-profit group that helps to maintain and improve the portion of the Ohio to Erie Trail that runs through Madison County. Knowles currently serves on FMCPT’s advisory board.

The bed and breakfast will have a railroad theme. Knowles said he hopes to have the business up and running by next fall.

Also on Dec. 15, council approved a zoning switch from manufacturing to planned unit development for the property at 130W. High St. The property once was home to Shaw Elevator but has sat vacant for many years.

London resident Robert Minner purchased the property 2.5 years ago. He plans to build self-storage units on half of the property. Plans for the other half are yet to be determined. Minner has previously owned a self-storage business and currently manages one. He said there’s a need for more public storage in London.

“With the expansion of London’s residential, I think (the need) is only going to grow,” he said.