[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",[32,75,86],{"_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",5983642,"mediaKeyId","5767126-a854e619894475a353cc5f81d042f7da","parentId",5767126,"title","Freeport council begins debate to restrict short-term rentals in single-family zones after safety complaint","audioSeconds",264,"startMs",3989000,"endMs",3725000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5767126-a854e619894475a353cc5f81d042f7da&start=3989&end=3725","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5767126-a854e619894475a353cc5f81d042f7da/thumbnail_3989000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5983642/Freeport/Stephenson-County/Illinois/Freeport-council-begins-debate-to-restrict-short-term-rentals-in-single-family-zones-after-safety-complaint","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5983642-64afde3814e38c213c9da94376c2605f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163696&Signature=ADwyJ4bB4LfPpCZbky7nf2aWmkwT-~5QMJahm7kZdb8hmewFXMHsGIVrLREWujUGLn66XNWPPDKZ~l0m38Rg-iF9Lvxc0B90iBR7fgrFpI2yrnYa8Db8fsZ58PYEDZKDIpLV9BhHxzQcAv9zddf1Uifm9pLJ6pK62mI3PEjAw3ltYbP-XaXQfJV28-pbmADBVJ5NU-e-oDLR8t0pKO-iUtP9QmvGkOcH9HtcFN6E7lFaTiqO216GQh-lv68vJs4O2CyUdJTPvB1SL0BL7z0EN-wYwGaEc0jjegqP94YOVcDXZq2w5t6zSOVd1dVtzBq4bxyqjJgqQBLH-4-ZYhtGkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Freeport, IL","date","2025-09-16T02:11:50Z","article","The Freeport City Council held a first reading on an ordinance that would remove short-term vacation rentals—commonly marketed via Airbnb and VRBO—from single-family residential zoning (R-1 through R-4) and require duplexes and larger multiunit properties to seek special-use permits.

Staff and the planning commission presented the proposed text amendment at the meeting; the planning commission held a public hearing August 14 and later recommended approval. Director Duckman told the council the amendment “is removing vacation rentals from the R-1 through R-4 residential district,” and that “if you have a duplex, 2‑unit, 3‑unit, 4‑unit, etc., it would be a special use permit.”

Public and council debate focused on competing concerns. Supporters of limiting short-term rentals cited a safety incident at one rental and said neighbors had been left to respond. Alderman Clem described an event where multiple vehicles arrived at a rental and police later “confiscated, I'm going to say, at least a dozen loaded weapons,” and said that sequence prompted neighborhood calls for stricter rules. An applicant and city clerk who testified earlier at the planning commission opposed a wholesale ban and urged use of the special-use process so neighborhoods that want rentals can allow them and those that do not can deny them.

Director Duckman told council that the draft ordinance would not immediately revoke existing licensed rentals; current license holders would be required to reapply. He said licenses would “sunset January 1, 2029,” after which no new licenses for single-family homes would remain valid. Council members repeatedly returned to enforcement and fairness questions: how many short-term rentals currently operate, whether the city would cap numbers, require local managers, or use guest limits and parking restrictions to limit nuisance activity.

Several council members urged caution before a final decision. Alderman Johnson and others noted the economic benefits from visitors who spend locally and suggested alternatives such as annual special-use permits or numeric caps rather than an outright ban. Supporters of the amendment said the special-use route would not stop neighborhoods from excluding rentals; opponents said a special-use requirement would be a fairer way to balance property rights and neighborhood character.

Next steps: This was the ordinance's first reading. Staff and the planning commission indicated they expect further public comment; council members said the ordinance will return for additional readings and debate before any final action.

Provenance: Discussion and planning commission background appeared in the September meeting packet and were discussed on the record during the first reading; staff provided a timeline for a sunset of existing licenses.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - 9/15/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Freeport City Council held a first reading on an ordinance that would remove short-term vacation rentals from single-family residential zoning and require duplexes and larger multiunit properties to seek special-use permits.","taxTitle","Freeport, Stephenson County, Illinois","taxId",70202,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5983645,"Freeport council debates airport operator contract after public objections over process and candidate",0,7099000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5767126-a854e619894475a353cc5f81d042f7da&start=7099&end=7099","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5767126-a854e619894475a353cc5f81d042f7da/thumbnail_7099000.jpg","/articles/5983645/Freeport/Stephenson-County/Illinois/Freeport-council-debates-airport-operator-contract-after-public-objections-over-process-and-candidate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5983645-aaa8a94e62f75d08f9dddd8bef95ac84/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163696&Signature=VniEudr9vGJs8-0VYC8pRi7oyG5f0m4-zJ7ZKjlLMXc5vknSCrnfbE2X~qY~qNVxMhMj-WzA1ETlg2RUrD73~M8a-1RZqXKejdzdfjv~94y-lUBD7eyhvpNBcG7a571bVuBh-6taAtNy0uEpWpZB0P~DEUp1KJrD0XIUm1zNHRcvBnq6TMYaSibshXLcDjufGaq0VAi7oBa5xgaKCr1sUpjSGOYHBbyD7bGzuU5ouhEj0g5TCNLbvqa~SJ-5yBi4nROKoU7LwphfT0ApWuI~QSL7mLAYiH6huazcNoMGby8xPdY7tVifn~WyfNQVfjURX2NJwwOcKWCn4EmSNEZzmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Freeport City Council considered a contract to make a private operator the fixed-base operator and airport manager for Alberta's Airport, but did not adopt the recommended agreement after public comment raised questions about the procurement process and candidate suitability.

The city manager recommended the council authorize “negotiation and execution of an operator contract in the form set forth in the RFQ with Jeff Monica” and said Monica’s bid was the lowest of three respondents, at $157,500 per year. Manager Boyer told the council the applications were opened at City Hall and reviewed by staff and council representatives.

The recommendation prompted several public comments questioning the process and the nominee. Longtime airport volunteer Angie Janssen, who said she has “over 28 years of dedicated service to that airport,” told the council: “The individuals being considered for the airport manager position is an airline pilot. That raises significant concerns regarding the level of commitment and availability required for effective airport management.” She said an airport manager must be available during emergencies and must interact directly with federal investigators such as the FAA and NTSB.

Another speaker, John Stabin, who said he applied for the position and has worked for the airport “for years,” told the council he was given 18 days to respond to the RFQ after receiving it late. Stabin said, “I received the RFQ on August 13 and was required to respond by September 1. 18 days to create an LLC, get the bonds, and other requirements. Only possible if you had prior knowledge this was happening.” He urged the council to review the final contract before voting because, he said, the web-drafted version differed from what would be signed.

Council discussion focused on operational coverage, contract length and the procurement steps used to select the recommended operator. An alderman asked whether the operator must be on site for the posted hours or may use a designee; a staff member replied that a designee could be available during posted hours. Council members also questioned the term structure: the draft contract would automatically renew yearly unless either party pursued renegotiation.

A motion to approve the contract was moved and seconded during the meeting. Following roll call votes and discussion, the resolution to authorize the manager to negotiate and execute the contract failed to receive the votes required for adoption at the meeting.

What it means: The council’s nonapproval leaves the current management arrangement in place until the city brings a new or revised contract back for formal action. Council members asked staff to provide further detail on the final contract language, operational coverage, and any discrepancies between RFQ requirements and the draft agreement before the council takes another vote.

Provenance: Public comments on the airport manager item and the manager’s recommendation were on the meeting record; excerpts of the RFQ-timing and manager recommendation were read into the record and discussed by staff and members of the public.","The Freeport City Council considered an airport operations agreement for Alberta's Airport and heard public commenters who said the RFQ timeline, candidate availability and contract terms raised fairness and safety concerns. The council did not approve the recommended contract at the meeting.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5983636,"Council moves to restrict ground-mounted solar arrays in residential zones after planning commission recommendation",148,3982000,4130000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5767126-a854e619894475a353cc5f81d042f7da&start=3982&end=4130","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5767126-a854e619894475a353cc5f81d042f7da/thumbnail_3982000.jpg","/articles/5983636/Freeport/Stephenson-County/Illinois/Council-moves-to-restrict-ground-mounted-solar-arrays-in-residential-zones-after-planning-commission-recommendation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5983636-d3575473d24e4414febb67e5c2543bc6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163696&Signature=fbOez1U7b1i0jqc94Z8QbknhSVupNkKU51VfVGwCkp9Xyior1n6rz8SrjXn-iqo-CKlByhIfeNeYcSJsSLUQ0cUdh6y0zHa~O7ESE21ZB9HAvEhdCKNnzILzn7mCN0l0GTv~ft8UBypyDYFLWpg8E4oUGQnyse1ms-FeeqxYzSrzyd7Qa~is5CeaUBpa2No9JkMV-7M01S9j89bXxzAn2UPGsqNoX3LWrdjlA3BXI0671NTKGc2w2L7JhgAvCPmCq6TvEJwTzgbp3xIInAjYKxMO45Yh-NXulqHdVZe3Jwk3SuFJ05HIt1H-~Sj6tVCy8oaV~a4EtJx80GHvfYlFWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Freeport City Council voted at second reading to amend the zoning code to restrict ground-mounted solar arrays in residential districts, following a unanimous recommendation by the planning commission.

The ordinance amends chapters 12-48 and 12-50 of the city's zoning code to address ground-mounted solar panels. Director Duckman said the planning commission’s direction came after residents raised aesthetics and maintenance concerns and the commission concluded ground-mounted arrays do not fit the character of many residential neighborhoods. He reviewed a series of recent applications and decisions that informed the change: Park Hills, 1405 South Benson and 1161 West Lincoln, and a large, contested installation at Harmony Church.

Council discussion focused on community feedback, the difference between roof-mounted and ground-mounted systems, and the pattern of complaints. Staff noted roof-mounted solar remains allowed by right, while large ground-mounted systems—described by staff as arrays that can resemble a “mini RV” or a large steel-frame installation in backyards—have provoked neighbor complaints after installation in some locations.

A vote to adopt the amendment at second reading passed on the council floor (roll call recorded 5 to 2 in favor during the second reading). The planning commission record showed an earlier vote in favor at the commission level and several contested case histories where planning or council action had followed public objection.

What happens next: The ordinance was adopted at second reading; homeowners and solar installers should consult city zoning staff before pursuing future ground-mounted installations in residential zones. The council and planning staff said roof-mounted solar remains permitted.","After several contested ground-mounted installations and planning commission concerns about neighborhood impacts, the Freeport City Council approved a zoning amendment at second reading to restrict ground-mounted solar arrays in residential areas.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Freeport council begins debate to restrict short-term rentals in single-family zones after safety complaint

Freeport council debates airport operator contract after public objections over process and candidate

Council moves to restrict ground-mounted solar arrays in residential zones after planning commission recommendation