Hinsdale Panel OKs Lesser Airbnb Ban

HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale trustees asked a village committee to consider a ban on rentals that are less than six months.

This would cover short-term rentals such as Airbnbs and VRBOs.

But on Wednesday, the village's Plan Commission recommended a ban that applied to rentals that are less than three months.

From village emails, it appears the six-month idea came from Village President Tom Cauley.

The commission's decision followed more than an hour of public comments.

Airbnb landlords urged the village to go with one month, the threshold for other DuPage County towns.

But neighbors of Airbnbs contended they endure noise and other issues with short-term renters. They said they are put at risk because they have no idea who is living next door.

Resident Brittany Hill said she and her sister, Ashley Hill, rent a house in the 800 block of West Eighth Street. It was their great-grandfather's house and has been a rental for years.

She said the rental income was important for keeping the house in the family.

"We want to do the right thing. But we also want to keep our house," Brittany Hill said. "I would love to see more communication from neighbors about any kind of problems."

She and other landlords said many such rentals are for people whose homes are undergoing renovation or emergency repairs.

Margaret Zwolinski, who lives next to the Hills' house, said she at first supported a 30-day threshold, but then came to believe such a rule could be easily manipulated.

Margaret Zwolinski, who lives next to the Airbnb in the 800 block of West Eighth Street, told the Plan Commission on Wednesday about problems that she said she experienced with the rental. (David Giuliani/Patch)

"In the world today, we're very worried about safety," Zwolinski said. "There are small children around."

Her husband, Dave Zwolinski, said he has seen issues with garbage and U-Hauls in the middle of the night. He said he had heard "wonderful" stories about how Airbnbs can be beneficial and that he wouldn't say that's completely wrong.

But he said for him and his wife, it's been "pure havoc."

Resident Judith Coleman, who lives in the 400 block of Justina Street, said she is a renter, but not a short-term one. An Airbnb is on her street, but she and her neighbors have no problem with it, she said.

"There's no guarantee who your neighbor is ever," Coleman said. "I understand that there are going to be bad actors. There's going to be that no matter where you live."

Michelle Crowe, a resident in the 200 block of South Bodin Street, said she has an Airbnb next door with multiple guests on certain weeks, sometimes holding parties. She called the experience "terrifying" and "unpleasant."

"I love a good party. Invite me, please. It's different when a homeowner is throwing a party than when an untraceable stranger is throwing a party," Crowe said. "Residents have rights, too. We shouldn't feel afraid."

During a debate, Steve Cashman, the Plan Commission's chairman, said six months was too long. He compared it to using a sledgehammer to solve a problem.

But member Julie Crnovich said the 30-day threshold could be easily manipulated. She preferred six months, saying one complaint about Airbnbs was one too many.

"Our homes are like our sanctuaries, especially after COVID," she said. "Not knowing who is next door to you is scary."

"Residents have rights," she continued. "I think we need to listen to our residents who are not gaining financially from this. I also believe that this is a commercial use in a single-family area. We have plenty of hotels around us."

Member Cynthia Curry said she, too, favored six months. She said her house was burglarized in January by South American suspects who were staying in a short-term rental in another town. They were gone by the time police showed up, she said.

Cynthia Curry, a member of the Hinsdale Plan Commission, told colleagues that a burglary at her house drove her to support a ban on short-term rentals that are less than six months. Next to her is member Jim Krillenberger. The commission compromised on a three-month threshold. (David Giuliani/Patch)

Cashman and members Anna Fiascone and Mark Willobee favored a threshold of two or three months. Member Jim Krillenberger joined Curry and Crnovich in favor of six months.

Compromising, the committee voted unanimously for three months. Members also called for landlords to register short-term rentals with the village.

The issue now goes to the Village Board.

Last year, the village charged the Hill family with "illegal home occupation" for having a short-term rental in a residential area.

But no provision in the village code bans short-term rentals. A DuPage County judge threw out the charge.

During questioning at Wednesday's meeting, Rob McGinnis, the village's community development director, acknowledged the situation, saying the village "tested" the home occupation ordinance.

"The ruling from the judge is what brought us here," he said.