La Grange board keeps short-term rental law hearing open after residents raise corporate-ownership, neighborhood concerns

The La Grange Town Board opened a public hearing March 4 on a proposed local law governing short-term rentals and voted to keep the hearing open until the board's March 18 meeting to allow more public comment and written submissions.

Supervisor stated the draft law originated with the prior administration and that written copies and an online posting were available for residents. The board said it would not take action on the local law that night and encouraged additional comments from people who could not attend.

Peter Turof of Memory Trail asked whether the draft contains any provision to limit corporate ownership of short-term rentals, saying his main concern is that companies or private-equity owners could operate many rentals rather than local residents. “Is there any kind of provision that would limit companies from having a short term rental here that is a corporation?” Turof asked.

Councilman Ryan, who disclosed during the hearing that he owns two short-term rental properties, said he does not believe ownership automatically requires recusal but that he will request an advisory opinion from the town board’s ethics board and will await that determination before taking action on the legislation.

A resident with extensive rental experience told the board the draft appears “prejudicial” as written and urged the town to consider more moderate language that would allow local owners to operate short-term rentals responsibly. The resident said he would submit detailed suggestions by email.

Residents during public comment also tied short-term rental concerns to neighborhood impacts such as parking and parties. Bruce Keating, who lives on Ronka/Ronka (transcript: Romka) Road in Red Oaks Mill, said recent traffic diversions routed heavy vehicles down narrow residential streets and described recurring problems with short-term rentals across the street from his home; he urged the board to address safety and parking impacts as it drafts rules.

The board recorded a motion to carry the public hearing to the March 18 meeting and to accept written comments in the meantime. No vote on the substance of the local law was taken. The board also asked for written comments to be submitted in advance of the next meeting.

What happens next: The board will keep the public hearing open until March 18 and invited written comments; Councilman Ryan said he will seek an ethics advisory opinion before participating in actions on the proposed law.