Palatine rejects homeowner's request for short-term rentals

Palatine officials have rejected a homeowner's request to allow him to offer part of his duplex up as a short-term rental on sites like Airbnb and VRBO.

Byran Blackham asked the village council earlier this month for permission to operate a short-term rental on the upper level of the Rohlwing Road residence.

But village officials called it an inconsistent land use and note that, from time to time, they have received complaints about properties being operated as short-term rentals. The village does not permit short-term rentals in its single-family residential districts.

The property owners did receive signatures of support from 16 surrounding property owners, although two others opposed it.

Blackham, who has lived in the house for more than 30 years, argued that he has been renting longer term for seven years without incident.

"We're interested in doing things legally and protecting the community and our neighborhood and our property," he said.

As a safeguard, he said he would only rent the property while he is in town.

But District 6 Councilman Brad Helms said that while he has no doubts Blackham is a conscientious landlord, he worries about the kind of precedent granting the request would set.

"You do realize that if we start something like this, the next person that comes before us looks at this as being a moneymaking opportunity and, maybe they're not there," Helms said. "And then we start to have problems. It kind of opens up a can of worms."