Its not a Bread-and-Breakfast insists River Laker, referring to the room he rents out on occasion in his Old Southwest Roanoke City bungalow. He doesn’t serve any food for one thing. But the city has classified it as a B&B – which led to Laker being cited for operating without a business license. Earlier this week Laker, who once programed events for Roanoke City Libraries, attended a public hearing before the Board of Zoning Appeals where he hoped to be granted a special exception permit – to operate as a Bed and Breakfast.
Laker would really like to see the city codes come up with a new classification for what he is doing through “Air Bnb”, an online service where people can look at rooms and sign up for a place to stay. “We went back and forth – we’re not operating a bed and breakfast, we’re renting out our property occasionally.”
He terms AirBnb a “sharing economy activity” not addressed by the city. Laker estimates there may be a half dozen other people in the valley renting out rooms under the AirBnb banner. A request for zoning clarification in Roanoke County for a prospective AirBnb renter was withdrawn in the face of opposition from neighbors.
Laker, also known to many as “The Carless Brit” (he gave up his four wheel ride years ago and gets around on a bike) who once caused a stir with a notorious striptease he performed at 202 Market one night during a bachelor auction while still employed by the city.
Things move slowly when it comes to rewriting codes and ordinances, noted Laker, who said he has rented once or twice a month to retired seniors, people coming in for interviews at Carilion and some of whom have started working for the health care giant. “It’s not who I would have expected before I did it.”
He would like to see a new ordinance written to cover AirBnb renters, whom he claims are good ambassadors for the valley, sharing tips on where people can go and what sights they should take in.
None of his neighbors complained; Laker has a private off road parking space that he doesn’t need himself. “Most folks, when they hear of the concept, think it’s great,” he claimed. AirBnb is “worldwide and very respected,” added Laker, although in New York City several thousand violations were cited when AirBnb properties were inspected.
The sharing economy is on the rise said Laker – some are renting their cars out on a piecemeal basis as well by the hour. “They do that in Roanoke now.” You can also rent rooms in homes and other items on Craig’s List. “I think it’s a trend and empowering for the individual – using your own property to generate some income. The people who stay with you want to have an experience, rather than just stay in a hotel at Valley View.”
Those visitors spend money at local businesses, often at places where Laker or other AirBnb renters have steered them. (The company started in California’s Silicon Valley; they get a piece of the action when people rent through their service). 501 Speakeasy on Campbell has greeted customers sent to the café by Laker.
Sometimes Laker will rent a room but not meet his boarder until the next morning – after they have spent the whole night sleeping in the room next door. “We wake up and say oh, hi. But they love it. They’re very comfortable. Without fail they leave Roanoke loving it.”
By Gene Marrano
Publisher’s Note: at the Board of Zoning Appeals public hearing on Weds 3/13 Laker was granted a special exception permit with no extra stipulations. He remarked: “The board was super thoughtful and considerate and understanding, a credit to the city.” They also called for an urgent need to revise the zoning code to accommodate such uses as airbnb.
