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Residents urge limits on short-term rentals near schools as council weighs options
Summary
Multiple residents urged the Forest Park Village Council to restrict short-term rentals—several proposed banning non-owner-occupied or sub-30-day rentals within 500 feet of schools—while a property owner urged balanced regulation that supports well-run rentals and generates revenue.
Jeremy Borcher, a Forest Park resident and owner of a multiunit property at 7215 Franklin, told the council he and his family bought and renovated a blighted building and argued against broad penalties for short-term rental hosts, saying regulation should be “balanced” and support well-run rentals that contribute revenue to the village. "As you can see from the pictures... it's hard to see how it doesn't improve the atmosphere of the neighborhood," Borcher said, noting neighbors had told him they were pleased with the updates.
During the public-comment period the council read several written statements from residents urging stricter limits on short-term rentals near schools. Stacy Kerna wrote she is "in support of the proposed restriction on short-term rentals within 500 ft of schools," saying it would "help preserve the safety and character of the neighborhoods surrounding our schools." Samantha Blaga urged prohibiting short-term rentals under 30 days without a lease within 500 feet of schools, arguing that "the safety of children in our community must come first." Other write-ins from Kathy Caldwell, Katherine Veter, Tom Okano, Michelle Warly, Alex Baga and Dave Biner raised similar concerns about safety, noise, and neighborhood stability around specific addresses.
The comments included proposals and local benchmarks. Michelle Warly summarized regulatory approaches and fee structures used by nearby municipalities, noting examples such as Oak Park(license fee examples cited in a resident letter) as potential models for Forest Park. Several residents suggested a 500-foot buffer from schools and limits on non-owner-occupied or short-term (under 30 days) rentals.
In response to the wave of public comment, the village administrator told the council staff is researching legal options and working with the village legal team to determine what the village can and cannot do. "We are working with our legal team to determine what it is that we can and cannot do moving forward," the administrator said, and pledged to present options to the council for further consideration.
Next steps: Council members encouraged continued dialogue and asked staff to return with legal analysis and implementation options. No ordinance or formal vote on short-term rental regulations occurred at the meeting; the administrator said staff will report back with options for council consideration.
