Frankfort Sets Limits On Vacation Rental Properties

FRANKFORT, IL — The Frankfort Village Board of Trustees voted unanimously as part of its consent agenda at its Monday meeting to amend the Village’s ordinance on vacation property rentals.

The issue was first addressed at the July 19 Committee of the Whole meeting to discuss specific concerns “that could cause a negative impact on surrounding properties and the Village as a whole,” said Board Trustee Margaret Farina. Those negative impacts included “life safety, quality of neighborhoods, security, fire safety and tax revenue,” Farina said.

The ordinance sets limits on where vacation rental properties can operate, for how long, and establishes licensing fees and penalties for violations, among other changes.

Some of the notable items in the ordinance include:

• Limiting the amount of time a property could be rented out to 60 days in a year, and limit renting to any individual for more than 14 consecutive days.
• Establish a $200 application fee for those wishing to list their property as a vacation rental, and require a $100 annual license fee.
• Grant power to the Building Department to conduct inspections on the rental property.
• Require vacation rental licensees to be located within 30 miles of the property and be available to promptly respond to complaints at all times during the rental.
• Set a limit of no more than 10 guests at a property at a given time.
• Prohibit pets other than service animals to be allowed by guests.
• Prohibit renting the property for weddings, conferences, parties or meetings.
• Require approval for any vacation rental property regulated by a condominium, neighborhood or homeowner's association by that association or its board.

Violations could result in fines ranging from $50-$750 per offense, and could also result in the vacation rental license being pulled.

Officer Promoted

Also during Monday's meeting, Frankfort Police Department Officer Kevin Lanz was sworn in as sergeant for the Department.

Lanz, originally from Homewood, received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and business administration from Winona State University, Frankfort Mayor Keith Ogle said. Lanz began his career as a part-time police officer in Crestwood and was hired in 2000 by the Village of Frankfort, Ogle said.

Lanz has received life-saving awards and a meritorious service medal during his career, Ogle said. He served as a field training officer, officer in charge, defensive tactics instructor, taser instructor and as the Village of Frankfort's first K-9 unit, Ogle said.

Lanz has been assigned to the sergeant of special services, where he will oversee directed patrol, investigations, neighborhood patrols and the school resource officer program, Frankfort Police Chief Leanne Chelepis said.

Lanz’ wife, Kelly, and the couple’s two daughters were in attendance.

“I promise to do my best here in my new position,” Lanz said. “To my family, the support — I can’t even begin to imagine what you guys have been through over these couple of years. I appreciate it, and I love you.

To my colleagues, family and friends, thank you. Without any of you I wouldn’t have been able to get to where I am today. I appreciate all of you being here today.”

Round it up

A brief review of other action taken during Monday's Board meeting:

• Approved the annexation of 0.66 acres of land at 21060 S. 80th Ave.
• Approved a bid to All American Exterior Solutions in the amount of $28,250 for roof replacement at Wells 11/12 at Jackson Creek Park.
• Approved a motion to dispose of two surplus Frankfort Police department squad cars and send them to auction.
• Approved a bid by Austin Tyler Construction in the amount of $1,488,488.73 for water main improvements along Nebraska Street, South Butternut Circle, Hornbeam Court, Catalpa Court and Leslie Lane.
• Approved a motion to enter into a three-year agreement with Wingren Landscape for the Holiday Lighting Program and decorations in the amount of $80,802.00 for displays at Village Hall, Frankfort Police Station, Breidert Green, White Street parkway, and the Route 30/45 monument entrance sign. The board also approved spending for additional LED lighting to replace existing LED lighting not to exceed $50,000.
• Approved a special use permit for JFZ Fitness to operate at 9975 W. Lincoln Highway.
• Denied a motion to approve a special use permit by a vote of 3-4 to allow Tracy's Beautique to occupy a space at Brookside Office Court. The Village Plan Commission had voted Sept. 9 to recommend denying the special use permit because of a lack of parking spaces in the Brookside lot. Trustees Michael Leddin, Jessica Petrow and Daniel Rossi voted to go against that recommendation, while Trustees Farina, Eugene Savaria and Adam Borrelli voted to follow the recommendation. Frankfort Mayor Keith Ogle cast the tie-breaking vote to follow the Plan Commission's recommendation.
• Hydrant flushing will continue through Nov. 2. A full schedule for hydrant flushing can be found on the Village’s website.

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