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

The City of Evanstons 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 committees 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 citys 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) Motion: table the vacation rental license application until April 14; Outcome: tabled (motion carried; voice vote; detailed roll-call not provided). P2 (1726 Emerson) 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.