La Grange board approves short-term rental rules and permits 5-unit ‘Treehouse’ at 108–110 W. Calendar

The Village of La Grange on May 12 adopted a package of ordinances to allow limited short-term rentals in the downtown commercial district and approved a special-use permit for a five-unit project at 108–110 West Calendar Avenue.

Trustee Jesse Thompson, speaking for the applicant, presented the text amendment and licensing framework that would treat short-term rentals as a special use in the C‑1 Central Commercial district, require a minimum 48-hour length of stay, limit licenses to no more than 10 properties in the C‑1 District at any time, set minimum insurance and life‑safety requirements, prohibit parties, and impose a 5% hotel‑motel tax on gross receipts. "This is a really good thing for the Central Business District," Thompson said, arguing the units would bring visitors who spend at local businesses.

Dan Spain, the applicant and owner of 108–110 West Calendar Avenue, told the board his project — to be marketed as the Treehouse Guest Suites — would create five well-managed units that keep guests in La Grange rather than sending them to neighboring communities. "We're creating a space where visitors can stay here right here in La Grange, walk to local cafes, pop into local shops, or grab a movie at our beloved La Grange Theater," Spain said.

Members of the public and several trustees raised concerns about potential effects on long‑term housing and parking. Cynthia Shillski asked whether a license is issued to a building or to individual units; Clerk Paul Saladino clarified that the license attaches to the building so the specific application approving 5 units in one building does not automatically create 50 units elsewhere. Trustee Augustine and others stressed that the ordinances limit where and how many short‑term rentals can operate, and that special‑use approval means each future project will return to the board for review.

Trustees also debated signage and the one‑square‑foot limit for on‑site informational signs; staff noted that the restriction is consistent with other second‑floor tenant signage and can be revisited as part of the zoning code rewrite. The board approved the text amendment, the licensing/tax ordinance, and the special‑use permit and site plan for 108–110 West Calendar in separate roll‑call votes, each passing unanimously.

The ordinance package includes enforcement provisions and a cap of 10 licensed properties in the C‑1 district; staff said budgetary projections for the 5% hotel‑motel tax are not yet available. The special‑use approval allows the applicant to proceed subject to the conditions outlined in the staff report, including documentation of shared parking.

The board also recorded public comments both for and against the policy; Todd Van Cleve, a La Grange resident, urged the board to approve short‑term rentals to support downtown lodging options and local businesses. "La Grange is a destination city and has nowhere for anyone to stay," he said. The Village will implement the licensing and safety conditions before new short‑term rental units can operate.

Next steps: the ordinances are in effect following approval; staff will finalize licensing details and the applicant may proceed with required documentation for the special‑use conditions.