[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6309523,"mediaKeyId","2412006-439d4b0e45fc276b55a14332dfe9389a","parentId",2412006,"title","Committee tables two vacation-rental license requests; staff says about 200 listings exist but only 34 licensed","audioSeconds",972,"startMs",444000,"endMs",1416000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2412006-439d4b0e45fc276b55a14332dfe9389a&start=444&end=1416","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2412006-439d4b0e45fc276b55a14332dfe9389a/thumbnail_444000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6309523/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Committee-tables-two-vacation-rental-license-requests-staff-says-about-200-listings-exist-but-only-34-licensed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309523-53b4e6335526637c6dabbc694555e89e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771226476&Signature=G6NThuYf66TIZov7Xbi7fompgfXsyYTEzozJR1e9gsWQK0xQ92mbAnmcch9Hq5Ou249LCTJlY0MRRTNo9Ba8vw1Dwzme3XDwgk82VI2s66igizz~b1PDstbVINFdyyyaYtAl8vLLoAFVAndQVAJLgX3Ziex~fGwzzCrILZC9HRMQ6rp3yBOs9D0yFsLuYy1E~1komg2XNsA22ZOyvDu~jiVHP5ZHmJjAWsQBeAfQwYhKg7rSoLstrCbUDPrnKlEoNjxzhGTitbRSHIo72SYByXjIKrXxETwNedUsV-Kzzms9650iVo~jQh4b7STbXaUtMt9GEH48TUxPh1VViXUQfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Evanston, IL","date","2025-02-25T16:13:17Z","article","The City of Evanston\u0000s Planning & Development Committee on Feb. 24 tabled two applications for vacation-rental licenses and heard staff outline a compliance effort for unlicensed short-term rentals.

The committee voted to table an application for a vacation-rental license for 1111 Pitner Avenue (two units) and to table a separate application for 1726 Emerson (main house plus coach house). Both items were tabled until the committee\u0000s April 14 meeting; the motions to table carried on voice votes.

Applicant Alex George, representing the owner of 1111 Pitner Avenue, told the committee he plans to manage two units on the second and third floors, each described in the application as three-bedroom, one-bath units with full kitchens. \"I believe we've complied with the appropriate process as the city requires,\" George said. He added the owner intends to lease the units to a manager who will list them as vacation rentals.

Applicant Jeff Ramos said the 1726 Emerson property includes a main house and a coach house, that the properties have separate driveways and off-street parking, and that he performed a gut rehabilitation after purchasing the property in February 2009.

Committee members voiced resident concerns about parking and neighborhood notice. Committee members noted that a listing can result in multiple guests per unit and that on-street parking is a concern when properties lack sufficient off-street spaces. For the Pitner property, George said two on-property garage spaces exist but that the garage parking is currently leased separately; guests would otherwise rely on on-street parking.

Liz Williams, the city\u0000s planning manager, briefed the committee on the city's compliance and enforcement plan. Williams said the city recently contracted with Granicus, software that helps municipalities detect unlicensed short-term-rental listings. \"Thus far, what we've been able to find out is that there are approximately 200 vacation rentals across the city. And currently, we only have 34 that are registered,\" Williams said. She said staff intends to send compliance letters through the building division beginning in March, giving property owners roughly 60 days to register and obtain licenses. Williams also said the current penalty schedule starts at approximately $200 for a first violation and escalates for continued noncompliance; staff plans to propose simplifications to the penalty structure in coming months to aid enforcement.

Several council members said the city previously adopted a moratorium tied to procuring software to administer the program; because the software is now in place, staff indicated they will move forward with enforcement and policy suggestions. Council members also discussed pursuing policy changes on owner-occupancy requirements for short-term rentals and signaled a referral and further conversation on owner-occupancy restrictions is underway.

Votes at a glance: P1 (1111 Pitner Avenue) \u0000 Motion: table the vacation rental license application until April 14; Outcome: tabled (motion carried; voice vote; detailed roll-call not provided). P2 (1726 Emerson) \u0000 Motion: table the vacation rental license application until April 14; Outcome: tabled (motion carried; voice vote; detailed roll-call not provided).

No licenses were approved at the Feb. 24 meeting; both applications will return to the committee on April 14 with additional packet materials requested by council members, including copies of neighborhood notice letters and any updated parking or management plans.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning and Development Committee Meeting 2-24-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Planning & Development Committee on Feb. 24 voted to table two vacation-rental license applications (1111 Pitner Avenue and 1726 Emerson) until April 14 and heard staff say the city\u0000s new monitoring software identified roughly 200 short-term listings citywide, of which 34 are registered.","taxTitle","Evanston, Cook County, Illinois","taxId",2640,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6309526,"Neighbors ask for zoning review after city purchase plan for 1222 Washington Street",1748,186000,1934000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2412006-439d4b0e45fc276b55a14332dfe9389a&start=186&end=1934","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2412006-439d4b0e45fc276b55a14332dfe9389a/thumbnail_186000.jpg","/articles/6309526/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Neighbors-ask-for-zoning-review-after-city-purchase-plan-for-1222-Washington-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309526-240b0ec7ec4ad2e5ae40dc02fcfe6d36/orig.mp4?Expires=1771226476&Signature=O2oOFmuIZoLP~khxRz6is7s5Mlr1jcHrn0TI306~c38gkFwa626mGG8eK1O~NUh4rz6Zy5V-Hv2~yo9OoACrr4rYgnkmspm368NTqGrSkngxEF3C7ODjHvPc7YQql5CEfXgMSnAgdhqacHh9M0jZDrFB9vIWUXQoLklDzuk029~n1DToKXTIxVS68wZBcTi6BQ1MaF5fKeSdng1BIAqup9llqpr8p4zzqHxjpGig2KIkubyJ-IWNHJObQ5WWwQ5ovIqAgv1~rNAeK4ZNIXhVEsZrRuEdb~BlMQhwFJfSTHhkIiSrCJBYdvKkbb85SnVwNechXRk~hrQNSpGyM8oaIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Resident Beth Cerny urged the City of Evanston\u0000s Planning & Development Committee on Feb. 24 to require a formal zoning review and public hearing before the city proceeds with plans for 1222 Washington Street.

Cerny, identifying herself as a neighbor at 1222 Washington, said residents were \"blindsided\" by the city's planned purchase and asked that the property be subject to a zoning hearing because it is a nonconforming lot that does not meet current size rules. \"The lot is approximately 50 feet wide and 92 feet deep. It's only 4,621 square feet,\" she said during the public-comment period, adding that the minimum lot size under current zoning is 5,000 square feet.

The matter matters to nearby residents because, Cerny said, the parcel now serves as green space with mature trees and wildlife and sits next to Pope John School and the Lydia Home; she urged consideration of preservation and potential educational uses. She also said the proposed building would be a new home that \"does not comply with the current zoning regulations\" and asked the city to hold a public zoning hearing rather than treat it as an administrative matter.

Director Flax and city staff told the committee that no zoning analysis application has yet been received and that the next procedural step is for the applicant or the city to submit a zoning analysis. Staff explained three possible outcomes once an application arrives: no variance required (in which case the applicant applies for a building permit and neighbors are not notified), a minor variation that is reviewed administratively by staff (neighbors within 250 feet will receive postcard notice and can appeal the administrative decision to the Land Use Commission), or a major variation that the Land Use Commission would review directly.

\"If this proposal does trigger what is known as a major variation, it will go to the Land Use Commission for their review. If it's a minor [variation], that is an administrative staff review,\" staff said, adding that neighbors would receive notice and have appeal rights in the administrative route as well.

Committee members also said the Ward meeting schedule and a planned meeting with SIPA staff and the high school will provide additional opportunities for resident input. No formal action was taken by the Planning & Development Committee on this matter during the meeting.

Next steps identified by staff: an applicant (city or private) must file a zoning analysis application; staff will then determine whether no variance, a minor variance, or a major variance is required and will follow the notification and appeal paths described to the committee. Residents were told they will receive postcard notice if the project triggers an administrative review and that an appeal pathway to the Land Use Commission exists if they disagree with the staff decision.

The committee moved on after the exchange; staff and neighbors indicated follow-up meetings were planned in the coming weeks.","At the Feb. 24 Planning & Development Committee meeting, a resident said neighbors were 'blindsided' by the city\u0000s plan to acquire 1222 Washington Street and asked that any new building undergo a zoning review and public notice. Staff explained next steps in the zoning/variance process and how neighbors will be notified.","actionData","errors"]

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Committee tables two vacation-rental license requests; staff says about 200 listings exist but only 34 licensed

Neighbors ask for zoning review after city purchase plan for 1222 Washington Street