Riverside board halts consideration of vacation rentals in residential districts

The Village of Riverside Board of Trustees voted Dec. 4 to halt further consideration of allowing short‑term vacation rentals in residential districts.

Director Seiren told the board that the Planning & Zoning Commission reviewed a proposal to permit vacation rentals in multifamily residential buildings and that three of five commissioners present opposed the change; he also said petitioner Maria Bernardi modified her request to seek no limit on total rental days, noting current village code limits vacation rentals in business districts to 60 calendar days per year. "Miss Bernardi asked that there be no limit on the number of rental days to ensure that a vacation rental would be economically viable," Seiren said.

Trustee Evans urged the board to "just take a pass on vacation rentals in the village," citing neighborhood opposition and concerns about how short‑term rentals would affect property values. Other trustees said they appreciated the Planning & Zoning Commission's review and noted potential economic benefits of allowing rentals for businesses, but indicated strong resident resistance in residential neighborhoods.

President sought consensus and then called for formal action. The board considered a motion to proceed but that motion received no second. A later motion "to not proceed with this consideration" was made and seconded; the motion passed by roll call, 4–1. The president announced the board "does not want to proceed with public hearings to consider the text amendment to allow short‑term rentals in residential districts."

The board noted that any resident may petition the village for a text amendment in the future, but that staff will not schedule public hearings on this proposed change unless there is future board direction to do so.

What happens next: The issue is closed for now; staff will not advance zoning text‑amendment hearings on vacation rentals absent renewed board direction.