Will County Gazette

City of Joliet Land Use & Legislative Committee met Oct. 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the Committee:

ROLL CALL

Present Terry Morris, Jan Hallums Quillman and Joseph Clement

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion was made by Jan Hallums Quillman, seconded by Joseph Clement, to approve minutes from the September 8, 2021 meeting. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Morris, Hallums Quillman and Clement

CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS

Ms. Kathy Spieler spoke in opposition to the Short Term Rental Registration, Inspection, and Taxation agenda item.

Ms. Mary Beth Gannon spoke in opposition to the Short Term Rental Registration, Inspection and Taxation agenda item.

Mr. Edward Keegan, 903 Western Avenue, spoke about an incident outside of his home and stated that he does not feel safe in the neighborhood anymore.

Councilman Clement asked how much they are charging a night for the AIRBNB's. Ms. Gannon responded.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CONVEYANCE OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTY

Mrs. Eva-Marie Tropper, Director of Community Development, gave the Committee background information about the city-owned property located at 209 Mississippi Avenue.

There were a few questions from the Committee members and Mrs. Tropper responded.

Councilwoman Quillman motioned to approve the conveyance of city-owned property. Councilman Clement seconded the motion, which passed with a unanimous voice vote of aye.

Later in meeting, Mrs. Tropper discovered that the property is actually currently zoned as R-3 (One and Two Family Residential). Councilwoman Quillman only approved of the resolution if the property was zoned R-2 (Single-Family Residential). Therefore, she changed her motion to table it until it is rezoned as R-2.

A motion was made by Jan Hallums Quillman, seconded by Joseph Clement, to table the Resolution Authorizing the Conveyance of City-Owned Property, until the property in question is re-zoned as R-2 (Single-Family Residential). The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Morris, Hallums Quillman and Clement

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 23: ARTICLE III: SEC. 23-62 - AMOUNT OF FEE OF THE JOLIET CODE OF ORDINANCES

Mr. Derek Conley, Director of Economic Development, gave the Committee background information about the proposed ordinance revising the development impact fees.

Mr. Conley answered the Committee's questions.

A motion was made by Jan Hallums Quillman, seconded by Joseph Clement, to recommend for approval by the full City Council the Ordinance Amending CHAPTER 23: ARTICLE III: SEC. 23-62 - Amount of Fee of the Joliet Code of Ordinances. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Morris, Hallums Quillman and Clement

SHORT TERM RENTAL REGISTRATION, INSPECTION, AND TAXATION

Mr. Chris Regis, Inspector General, gave the Committee background information about the proposed regulatory framework for short term rentals.

Mr. Regis said an AIRBNB is a short term rental.

Councilwoman Quillman had many concerns and said she is against the proposed amendments because she does not feel they should be allowed in residential neighborhoods.

Councilman Clement said he is in favor the proposed amendments however feels the single-family rental program should be completed before AIRBNB's are voted on.

Councilman Morris inquired about the current ordinance that is being amended. Mr. Regis explained.

There was lengthy discussion about AIRBNB's.

Mr. Regis said it was requested that an ordinance was made to regulate short term rental properties and that is what he provided the Committee today.

Councilwoman Quillman said she heard that Naperville has a ban on AIRBNB's and requested Staff look into that. She suggested this be tabled and brought back after the Single-Family Rental Inspection program and after information is found out from Naperville.

A motion was made by Jan Hallums Quillman, seconded by Joseph Clement, to table the Short Term Rental Registration, Inspection, and Taxation indefinitely until more information is provided on banning AIRBNB's. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Morris, Hallums Quillman and Clement

NEW OR OLD BUSINESS - NOT FOR FINAL ACTION OR RECOMMENDATION

Mr. Regis stated there will be a special Land Use & Legislative Committee meeting to discuss the issue of the Citizen Review Board that was tabled from earlier this year. He will have a proposed draft to the Committee next week and then have a meeting the last week of October.

Mr. Karl Ferrell is hopeful that an agreement can be made on the proposal and then it can be finalized.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Ms. Kathy Spieler stated there will be a town hall meeting tonight at 6:30 at the First Presbyterian Church regarding single-family rentals. She also spoke about AIRBNB's in more detail pertaining to short term rentals.

Mr. Regis explained again that there is no law in place to restrict AIRBNB's. The AIRBNB is a booking service and it is not a company that owns properties. Councilwoman Quillman had more questions about it not being a business. Mr. Regis responded.

Mr. Regis responded to the Committee members questions.

Ms. Mary Beth Gannon spoke again about preventing AIRBNB's.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Jan Hallums Quillman, seconded by Joseph Clement, to adjourn. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Morris, Hallums Quillman and Clement

https://joliet.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=897198&GUID=260A27BF-DEED-426B-BD0A-F237E0D9A04A