At a recent meeting, Milford City Council approved four short-term rental apartments above Penny Square. Council also approved ten retail spaces on the first floor, increasing the retail units from the originally approved seven. Because short-term rentals like Air BnB and VRBO are considered the same as hotels, owners Zack and Marissa King were required to submit a conditional use request.
“After some changes downstairs, we had a larger office tenant move out and divided these pace into smaller tenant spaces,” Zack King said. “Those are now occupied by a bookstore, a photographer and a cycle business. Our goal has always been to get as many small businesses in the downtown as possible. With the loss of the office tenant and the addition of three more retail type businesses was a good benefit not only for our building but the other tenants there.”
King continued, explaining that the apartments had been above Penny Square since they remodeled the building in 2021.
“We would like the option to Air BnB a unit or two and then have some long terms in there,” King said. “Air BnB essentially brings new people downtown on a semi-daily basis, weekend or weekly basis. Almost all of those people go out, they shop, they eat, they spend money. It’s a nice way to get additional people into town.”
The building has fire suppression, full fire alarm systems and is built to commercial code, King continued, unlike some short-term rentals that may be a refurbished shed in a backyard. Councilwoman Katrina Wilson asked if the units would have full kitchens as well as lounging space.
“The short-term plan is that we actually have three longer term tenants in the four apartments,’ King said. “One of the larger apartments is going to be the Air BnB. It is fully furnished, full kitchen, we don’t really supply food or any of that type of thing. My wife and I have been doing Air BnB on different properties for probably ten years now and we’re pretty well versed in it. It’s a really good way to get people from out of the area into town and tet them walking around, spending money.”
There was no public comment for or against the request during that portion of the meeting.
“I do think we are trying to get more activity in the downtown area so to have an additional three commercial tenant spaces available is beneficial,” Councilman Jason James said. “I do think having the rentals as short-term apartments make perfect sense for the downtown area, because when there are different events and everthing someone may want to come and stay overnight.”
King pointed out that there was no increase in apartments, only in the number of retail spaces.
“I agree with Mr. James when he said it’s additional lodging space,” Wilson said. “This is great for those individuals who want to come to our town for events. It is always a bonus to be right downtown.”
The request passed unanimously.
