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Gary committee reviews multiple short-term rental petitions for Miller Beach
Summary
The Planning & Development Committee heard three special-use petitions from short-term rental owners and managers in Miller Beach, with presenters describing guest screening, decibel monitors, cameras and management-company oversight; the Board of Zoning Appeals gave mixed recommendations and the items will proceed to the July council meeting.
The Gary Common Council Planning and Development Committee on Monday heard three petitions seeking special-use permits to operate non-owner-occupied short-term rentals in Miller Beach.
Attorney Molina told the committee that the first matter, CPO 2026-19 (1045 Shelby Ave., Island Time Rentals LLC), was taken before the Board of Zoning Appeals on April 9 but produced no formal recommendation because only three BZA members were present. Petitioners Erin Eserkan and Jessica Vachowski said they intend to use the property as a second home and only rent it occasionally. "We don't plan to use it, as a permanent short term rental. We plan to use it as our 2nd home," Eserkan said, adding the owners plan decibel-based noise monitors, exterior cameras and a management company to address complaints.
A second petition, CPO 2026-20 for 803–805 North Warren, was presented by property manager Samilia Bush on behalf of Mark Adams and Nicole Swan. Bush said owners limit stays and set neighborhood-oriented rules: "Short term rental activity is limited to periods when the owners are not in the residence and serves only as supplemental income to offset ownership expenses, not as a full time commercial operation," she said. The BZA voted in favor of that petition, and zoning staff appended about 11 conditions to address neighborhood compatibility.
A third petition, CPO 2026-22 (9101 Potawatomi Trail) from Ward Investments, was presented by owner and investor Kareem Ward, who described long-standing local investment and hands-on property management: "I own about 14 rental properties...I do all my managing of all my properties," Ward said, noting exterior cameras and neighbor contact procedures. The BZA recommended this petition favorably by a unanimous vote at its later hearing.
Council members pressed petitioners on enforcement and neighborhood impacts. Councilman Halliburton asked, "Where are you all from?" and Eserkan replied they live in Hyde Park on Chicago's South Side but plan frequent visits; Councilman Westington, a nearby resident, asked how many vehicles would typically be parked and whether street parking would be limited. Petitioners said driveways and private parking would be used and that the rental agreements prohibit street parking.
Zoning staff and Dr. Martin explained the administrative context: some short-term rentals previously operated under business licenses without prior special-use approval, and the city is now notifying existing operators to come into compliance. Dr. Martin reported about 46 properties are currently in the renewal/compliance process. Attorney Molina said the committee would return the items to the July 6 council meeting for further consideration.
No final council votes were recorded in the committee transcript.
