HERMANN — There won’t be any permits issued for new guesthouses in Hermann for at least a year following action Feb. 12 by the Board of Aldermen (BOA).

The panel unanimously granted second-round and final approval to legislation putting the brakes on new guesthouses in a pair of residential-zoned areas of the city. The ordinance halts new permits in the R-2 (two-family) and R-3 (multi-family) areas. New guesthouses already were prohibited in the R-1 (single-family) neighborhoods.

A moratorium was recommended by the city’s Planning & Zoning Commission. At the time the P&Z panel acted, it was noted that continued conversion of more homes into guesthouses would further cripple the Gasconade County R-1 School District, which has been trying to staunch the erosion of student enrollment for the past decade. Indeed, according to city officials, Hermann has more than 160 guesthouses and bed and breakfast inns — a separate category of short-term rental lodging — that have been developed in the past dozen years.

In addition to falling enrollment in the R-1 District — and a corresponding loss of state education dollars — there’s also the concern voiced by some local government officials of a loss of population in the county seat. The last census showed Gasconade County losing about 300 residents, sending the total number to just under 15,000. Of that loss, about two-thirds occurred in Hermann and the surrounding area. Hermann’s population now is listed at about 2,100.

The aldermen will review the moratorium after a year.

In other matters at Monday night’s BOA session, final approval was given to a bill that brings the city’s definition of “family” into line with state government’s definition. The measure increases the total number of residents of a home from five to eight.

The legislation was prompted by the establishment of a group home on Stone Hill Highway for recovering substance abusers. Residents of the neighborhood tried to fight the group home, seeking help from city government. However, because such homes are allowed in residential areas by the state and federal governments, there was nothing City Hall could do to regulate the operation. The group home operation was never presented to the P&Z Commission, nor was it presented to the BOA.

Also receiving second-round approval was a bill amending the code regarding parking spaces for short-term rental units. The legislation removed the term “suite” from the description of multi-bedroom guesthouses. A designation of “suite” allowed the structure to have a single off-street parking space, requiring lodgers to park on the street. The updated language requires an off-street parking space for every sleeping room.

Final approval was granted, also, to a bill that brings the city’s laws regarding adult use of marijuana in line with state law in the wake of voter adoption of Amendment 3 in 2022 that legalized the sale of marijuana for recreational use. Ironically, the ordinance is contained in Chapter 420 of the city’s municipal code book. 420, as in April 20, is National Marijuana Day.

The board also approved legislation that allows the city to contract with Brune Electric, Inc., for the purchase and installation of an emergency generator at City Hall. Brune Electric’s bid to provide the generator was $79,741.82 and the city deemed it to be the best bid and the most responsive to the city’s needs. Kay-Bee Electric & Systems of Florissant in St. Louis County submitted a bid of $73,400.