County zoning officials recently advanced plans for a short-term rental cabin in Harrison Township, as proposed by Cozy Bear, LLC. The Bartholomew County Board of Zoning Appeals has approved a conditional use request for a three-acre property located at 1351 S. Wolfcreek Road, which is now known as “Cozy Hollow.” This approval allows the property to be used as a short-term rental with a maximum capacity of 10 people in an existing single-family home.
Under the county’s zoning ordinance, single-family homes are typically limited to no more than five unrelated adults. However, because the proposed capacity for the cabin exceeds this limit, the request required special consideration by the board.
Lindsey Bell, representing Cozy Bear, LLC, noted that the company owns three other cabins in Brown County. Although "Cozy Hollow" can accommodate up to 10 guests, Bell anticipates that the typical occupancy will range between six and eight people.
According to the County GIS system, the property was officially transferred to Cozy Bear on April 12 of this year. Extensive renovations have since been carried out on the home, addressing various structural issues, such as rotting decks and siding. In the documentation submitted to the planning department, Bell emphasized that these improvements have not only restored the home but also enhanced its overall value.
“We regraded the backyard and believe that the eventual resale value of this home will increase the value of those around it,” Bell stated in the submission.
Local resident Eva Cagwin, who lives a few houses down from Cozy Hollow, expressed that while she and other neighbors are not opposed to the short-term rental, they do have some concerns. These include potential noise, the possibility of parties, and the use of firearms on the rural property. Cagwin also raised concerns about road safety on Wolfcreek Road.
In response, Bell assured the board that the cabin will have strict rules in place, including a ban on parties, gas-powered ATVs, and the discharging of firearms. Quiet hours will be enforced from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., and the property will be monitored through camera surveillance to ensure compliance with these rules.
Bell also reassured neighbors that Cozy Bear is committed to being a responsible and considerate member of the community. “If there’s ever anything, you guys can always let us know, and we’ll get in contact with our guests,” Bell said, noting that the company has successfully addressed similar issues in the past at their other properties. “We’re very seasoned in this, and we want the community around our cabins to be great too.”
This approval marks a significant step forward for Cozy Bear, LLC, as they continue to expand their portfolio of short-term rental properties while also addressing the concerns of the local community.
