Every week it seems there are reports of developments in the STR, Short Term Rental controversy. In the most recent; in spite of the objection of the Chairman, the PCZBA voted 4-3 to ban STR’s rather than labor over a set of governing rules. In attendance at the PCZBA meeting were 25 people, 13 of whom spoke in support of a total ban of STR’s and only 3 in their favor.
Passions against STR’s in the community are high evidenced by the many opinion pieces not favoring and the ubiquity of lawn signs against, while there are zero signs in support. Then there is the obvious division of opinion among the Board of Trustees and the PCZBA. Finally, there has been no agreement as to resources to enforce any set of controlling ordinances, save a naïve suggestion to let the neighbors handle it. Notice how well that has been working in a live drill on E. Scranton Ave. Sorry. Neighbor enforcement looks like a formula for a re-enactment of the Hatfield’s and the McCoy’s and is no solution at all.
Contrary to the position of the Village President, a referendum is the only way to have the unequivocal, undisputed and democratically obtained, go or no go opinion of the residents, and brings settlement and finality of the STR controversy. If it is No, end of discussion and we revert to the status quo. If Yes, then the PCZBA drafts the controlling rules and the Trustees vote to agree or modify as they see fit, including a reasonable enforcement solution.
Holding a referendum is the ideal way to eliminate the real or perceived presence of agendas, bias and pre ordination and is the pure application democracy.
Al Boese
Lake Bluff
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