===== PDF PAGE 1 =====
[Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)]
City °. a
WEST CHICAGO
WHERE HISTORY & PROGRESS MEET
Approved May 10, 2021
MINUTES
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
March 8, 2021 7:00 P.M.
The Development Committee meeting of March 8, 2021 was held part remotely and partly in
person due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
1. Call to Order, Roll Call, and Establishment of a Quorum.
Alderman Stout called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
All Aldermen in attendance were present remotely unless indicated otherwise. Roll call
found Aldermen James Beifuss, Melissa Birch Ferguson, John Jakabscin, Jayme
Sheahan and Rebecca Stout (in person) present.
Also in attendance was Community Development Director, Tom Dabareiner.
Alderman Stout announced that Mayor Pineda has determined that in-person meetings
are not practical and prudent.
2. Approval of Minutes.
A. February 8, 2021.
Alderman Birch Ferguson moved and Alderman Beifuss seconded a motion to
approve the minutes. Voting Aye: Aldermen Beifuss, Birch Ferguson,
Sheahan and Stout. Voting to Abstain: Alderman Jakabscin. Voting Nay:
0.
3. Public Participation. None.
4. Items for Consent.
A. 1092 Carolina — The petitioner seeks a Special Use Permit for a Motor Vehicle
Care Center in accordance with Section 11.2-4(GG) of the West Chicago Zoning
Development Committee Minutes
March 8, 2021
475 Main Street | T (630) 293-2200 Ruben Pineda
Page 1 of 4 West Chicago, Illinois F (630) 293-3028 al
60185 www.westchicago.org Nancy M. Smith Michael L. Guttman
CITY CLERK CITY ADMINISTRATOR

===== PDF PAGE 2 =====
[Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)]
B. Ordinance. If approved, the Permit would allow exterior and interior detailing
services of motor vehicles.
Cc. Trillium Farm Phase 2 Final Plat of Subdivision — Pulte Home Company’s
development outside of the City has progressed to the point where the company is
requesting adoption of its Phase 2 Final Plat of Subdivision. The City’s approval is
required because the subdivision lies within the City’s planning area. No changes
from the previously approved Preliminary Plat are proposed.
D. 2021 Zoning Map Adoption — State law requires the annual publication of revised
local zoning maps. While no map amendments occurred in 2020, a scrivener’s error
on the City’s Zoning Map was found and is being corrected with this proposed
publication.
Alderman Jakabscin moved, and Alderman Birch Ferguson seconded the
motion to approve Items 4. A., B., and C. Voting Aye: Aldermen Beifuss, Birch
Ferguson, Jakabscin, Sheahan and Stout. Voting Nay: 0.
5. Items for Discussion.
A. Zoning Text Amendment — The City is proposing a Text Amendment to Articles
IV, VI and IX of Appendix A of the City of West Chicago Municipal Code. The
Amendment will define the use of Short-Term Home rentals, commonly referred to
as Airbnb or VRBO homes, allowing them in certain residential districts. It would
establish a registration process to help Police find the property owner and identify
tenants if needed.
Tom Dabareiner provided this staff update. The City currently has no codes to regulate
short-term vacation rentals. There are 3 to 4 of these properties in the City, but they are
growing in the suburbs. Because of this and at the request of the West Chicago Police
Department, staff has created an ordinance to define and allow for these types of rentals,
which models the way other local communities are handling regulation. Key provisions
include: Permitted Use in single-family homes and Special Use in duplexes and
townhomes; owner needs to reside at the property for at least half the year; a minimum of
three-night and maximum of a 30-day rental allowed and annual registration and inspection
are required. Staff does not believe short-term rentals should be allowed in condominiums
and apartments. At their March 2 meeting, the Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals
(PC/ZBA) voted 4 to 3 in favor. Of the nays, one member did not support any regulation
and two members believed that condominiums and apartments should be allowed as short-
term rentals. Mr. Dabareiner then introduced Interim Chief Chris Shackelford, who spoke
to the members. He stated that staff has done a wonderful job drafting this ordinance as
they have addressed the main concerns they have from a law enforcement perspective,
especially with regards to short-term rentals being used as party houses. Provisions such as
requiring a minimum rental of 3 nights, asking the owner to provide a copy of their State
Development Committee Minutes
March 8, 2021
Page 2 of 4

===== PDF PAGE 3 =====
[Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)]
ID or driver’s license, and allowing for a maximum occupancy of 10 people, should serve
as a deterrent.
Alderman Birch Ferguson asked for clarification on the minimum stay, and Mr. Dabareiner
stated the requirement is for a 3-night rental. Alderman Birch Ferguson asked if this would
mean that renters would need to stay from Friday through Monday, and Mr. Dabareiner
replied that renters would need to pay for three nights. Alderman Jakabscin shared what he
believed to be the genesis of this Text Amendment whereby an incident happened over the
past summer at a short-term rental in Roselle. A small party turned into a large gathering,
which resulted in a shooting and at least one death. For the sake of the West Chicago’s
officers and citizens, these are incidents to be avoided. He fully supports this ordinance.
Alderman Beifuss asked Mr. Dabareiner if the elements of this ordinance are typical of
surrounding suburbs. Mr. Dabareiner replied that while he does not know specifically about
neighboring communities, the draft ordinance is based on a couple of different
communities’ ordinances. Alderman Beifuss stated the City does not want short-term
rentals to become a nuisance, so it seems reasonable to have some rules in place. He then
asked if it is common in the short-term rental world to require the rental to be owner-
occupied for 183 days. Mr. Dabareiner answered that while it does happen, staff has not
researched this particular aspect. The thought is that these residences should be used
primarily by the homeowner and only secondarily as a short-term rental. Alderman Beifuss
commented that he now sees where real estate listings are including the Airbnb/VRBO
potential rental income. He indicated he sees short-term rentals as more common in resort
communities, whereas West Chicago is more of a bedroom community, where they are less
common. Although, he said, short-terms rentals serve a purpose for family visiting from
out of town, and these rentals would serve as an option for residents. Mr. Dabareiner stated
that as time goes by, if there are no problems, it is always possible to pull back on some of
the restrictions.
Alderman Birch Ferguson thanked Mr. Dabareiner for explaining that the intent is to begin
more strictly with the opportunity to expand in the future. She then asked how quickly this
would go into effect and if they plan to prorate the fee. Mr. Dabareiner replied that the
annual fee would be $50.00, and the idea is that this would take effect immediately.
Alderman Birch Ferguson asked if there is a plan to reach out to existing rentals to let them
know this plan is in place, and Mr. Dabareiner confirmed this is what they plan to do.
Alderman Jakabscin moved, and Alderman Sheahan seconded the motion to
approve Item 5. A. Voting Aye: Aldermen Beifuss, Birch Ferguson, Jakabscin,
Sheahan and Stout. Voting Nay: 0.
6. Unfinished Business. None.
7. New Business. None.
Development Committee Minutes
March 8, 2021
Page 3 of 4

===== PDF PAGE 4 =====
[Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)]
8. Reports from Staff. None.
9. Adjournment.
Alderman Birch Ferguson moved, and Alderman Jakabscin seconded the
motion to adjourn the Development Committee meeting at 7:25 p.m. Voting Aye:
Aldermen Beifuss, Birch Ferguson, Jakabscin, Sheahan and Stout. Voting Nay:
0.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane Burke
Development Committee Minutes
March 8, 2021
Page 4 of 4