North Barrington board candidates differ on anti-rental rules
The five candidates running for the three spots on the North Barrington village board are split on whether the short-term rental regulations passed in the fall help or hurt residents.
The rule requires North Barrington residents who want to rent out their homes for less than 93 days to apply for a $50 permit from the village. The resident would also need to provide evidence to the village that the purpose of the rental is not for a party of more than 10 people.
The rule was approved by the village board in September, about five months after there was a shooting in Barrington after a large party at a Lake Barrington house that had been rented out on popular short-term rental site Airbnb.com. The party happened at a home on the 500 block of Welch Circle. Three Joliet men were charged in connection to the shooting, which happened around 5 miles away in Barrington and left a 21-year-old man in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the face.
Incumbent Todd Smith voted in favor of North Barrington's rule and said it would increase security in the village.
Incumbent Jackie Andrew was absent at the September meeting when the rule was approved but said she is against it.
"When people want to go to Florida, they should be allowed to rent out their houses," Andrew said.
Andrew said property taxes are high because there is no industry in the village and being able to rent your home out would help residents.
Patricia Kalinowski, a first-time candidate, said she agreed with Andrew.
"How many vacant homes are there from November through April?" Kalinowski said. "I think it is better to have someone occupying a home than it being vacant."
John Schnure, who previously served on the village board and currently is a member of the planning commission, said he thought the regulation was an overreaction to the Lake Barrington party.
"We've never had a problem in North Barrington," Schnure said.
Challenger Linda Aylward said her neighbor had rented out the house before, which Aylward said came as a shock. Aylward said the regulations don't go far enough.
"I think homeowners should stay in their home and if they don't like it they should sell it," Aylward said.
There are currently only four homes in the Barrington area available for rent on Airbnb. com: two in North Barrington, one in South Barrington and one in Tower Lakes.