Letter to the Editor: Outcomes from Dec. 6 Council Meeting

To the Editor: 

We’d like to clarify a few very important outcomes of the Dec. 6 Council meeting that have been misconstrued in most press reports. 

The two issues that dominated were: 1) passage of the "Kates Resolution," which would have permanently shelved discussion of an affordable housing plan; and 2) passage of a Property Maintenance Code (PMC). 

Regarding issue #1: It’s critical to understand that the trustees amended the Kates Resolution before passing it. The amended resolution temporarily, rather than permanently, ends discussion of Winnetka's proposed AH Plan. The primary reason given was the current economic climate. Also important is that the amended resolution excluded both the PMC and expansion of Winnetkans' right to rent out their coach houses. 

Bottom Line: The trustees were persuaded by knowledgeable arguments that:

• While many residents have voiced their feelings about AH, the trustees have never seriously discussed the recommendations of their Plan Commission and instead were reacting in a knee-jerk way to public sentiment. The message to the trustees was: You can't just legislate away hard decisions. That's irresponsible. The trustees clearly took this message to heart.
• Passing a resolution permanently quashing AH would unfairly and unreasonably tie the hands of all future councils, not to mention go completely against the village's comprehensive plan.

So, while the trustees have tabled AH for now, they wisely backed off of an attempt to simply make the issue "just go away."  This means the conversation about how to both comply with Illinois law and make our community more inclusive, neighborly and diverse in ways that suit Winnetka's character will go on. And hopefully, the Dec. 6 meeting sets a pattern for civil, thorough, fact-based discussions in the future. 

Regarding issue #2: The trustees unanimously passed a PMC. This resolution passed as is and was not amended, despite amendments being proposed. Again, there were many voices speaking out on behalf of this common-sense, good government initiative to protect the helath and safety of everyone who lives, works and shops in our commercial districts. This includes Terry Dason, executive director of the Winnetka Chamber of Commerce, who advocated for a PMC on behalf of the entire business community. 

Regarding the future: Next month, the council likely will take up the issue of allowing all Winnetkans who own coach houses to rent them if they choose – a pro-property rights initiative that also will expand the rental housing market in town.   

Sincerely, 
Ann Airey
Jen McQuet
Nancy Pred
Katie Seigenthaler

Winnetka Is Neighborly (WIN)

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