Cedar Beach Inn marketing disputed

A former bustling hangout where locals enjoyed a libation or two has become a bone of contention for the Town of Belgium in a couple of ways.

Town Zoning Administrator Charlie Parks said at last week’s Plan Commission meeting that the property at 231 Cedar Beach Rd. had been operating under legal nonconforming zoning status. But once the business closed, the zoning reverted back to residential after 12 months.

The 4.4-acre property, however, is listed as “commercial” by the real estate agent.

Parks said he sent a letter to the owner to let him know it wasn’t a commercial property anymore.

“They’re appealing that decision by the zoning administrator that the property has reverted to residential,” Parks said.

The parcel may not be rezoned to business since the town’s comprehensive plan requires a property to abut another of similar zoning in order to make the change. The parcel at 231 Cedar Beach Rd. is surrounded by residential zoning.

The Board of Zoning Appeals will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 10, to take up the issue. The town is bringing its attorney.

In an unrelated issue, Parks, Town Chairman Tom Winker and Building Inspector Roger Kison plan to do an assessment of the property.

While the Cedar Beach Inn building always included a place for the operator to live, the structure has been used as a multifamily dwelling after the business closed, Parks said.

“That needs to be brought into accordance one way or the other,” Parks said.