Evanston planning committee approves 1813 Lincoln vacation rental, denies 2222 Grama after neighborhood objections

Evanston’s Planning and Development Committee approved a vacation-rental license for 1813 Lincoln Street and denied a license for 2222 Grama Avenue at its June 9 meeting, following public comment and committee discussion about neighborhood impact and compliance with the city’s vacation-rental rules.

The approvals came after committee members heard from six people during public comment, several of whom opposed the Grama Avenue application. Carol Nielsen, a longtime resident at the corner of Noyes and Grama, said, “I don’t want a motel in my neighborhood.” Ava Janine Martin, who lives directly adjacent to 2222 Grama Avenue, told the committee the small lot size and frequent short-term guests reduced her ability to enjoy her yard and raised concerns about unsupervised visitors and dogs. Chris Nevilles, another adjacent homeowner, said the property had effectively operated as a hotel and that the owner “got the license a year ago under false pretenses.”

The committee took up two separate items: P1, the application for 1813 Lincoln Street, and P2, the application for 2222 Grama Avenue. Councilmember Davis moved approval of P1; it passed on a roll-call vote with Council Member Burns, Council Member Kelly, Council Member Rogers, Council Member Davis and Council Member Hanna Carras voting aye. Davis told the committee she had received no complaints about the Lincoln Street property and that the owner-operator lives on the same block.

Discussion of P2 centered on neighbor opposition and apparent compliance problems. Councilmember Davis said the Grama Avenue listing showed guest reviews dated before the license issuance on June 24, 2024, and that “at least 2 of those had to be out of compliance.” Multiple neighbors told the committee they were worried the change removes a potentially affordable long-term rental from the market. Melinda Shanklin, who said she has lived on the corner of Noyes and Gray for 38 years, said the house had been used by long-term renters in the past and that making it a vacation rental would remove an affordable housing option.

An applicant or property manager who represented the Grama Avenue owner addressed the panel and said the owners bought the property on May 10 and applied for a license the same day. The applicant said the property passed city inspections, that many local visitors and family members made up the bulk of guests, and that they had submitted 15 neighbor support letters. The applicant acknowledged renting the unit briefly before closing and said the intention was to be owner-occupants at least part-time, but that plans changed for financial and medical reasons. The applicant said: “We applied on the day of closing, that we were trying to make things right.”

Committee members said the city’s existing vacation-rental ordinance is subject to differing interpretations and noted increasing concern about short-term rentals taking housing off the long-term market. Council Member Burns said the committee needs clearer, objective rules for when non–owner-occupied short-term rentals should be allowed. Council Member Kelly and others asked staff for better public registration information; Andrew San Roman, Building and Development Services Manager, said the city’s long-term rentals list is available online and that the short-term/B&B registration list is not yet posted while staff process applications.

When the committee voted on P2, members voted unanimously to deny the license. The roll call was recorded as Council Member Burns — no; Council Member Kelly — no; Council Member Rogers — no; Council Member Davis — no; Council Member Hunter Cardes — no. The committee chair announced the item did not pass and adjourned after completing business.

The committee signaled it plans to revisit short-term rental policy and registration procedures in coming months so decisions are guided by clearer rules rather than case-by-case, neighborhood-by-neighborhood deliberations.