Politics & Government
Winnetka Board Approves 2011 Tax Levy
Existing tax payers will see a 1.5 percent increase in property taxes.
Winnetka Village Trustees unanimously approved a new tax levy in their last meeting of the year Tuesday.
The approved levy is estimated to raise taxes village-wide around 2.8 percent from last year. The levy will bring in $13,472,400 in revenue for the village, according to staff reports. Existing taxpayers will see a 1.5 percent increase. On a $20,000 property tax bill, residents can expect to see an increase of about $40. The remained 1.3 percent will be raised from new and expanding property development.
The 2011 property tax levy provides additional funds for operating needs and does not allocate any additional money for the storm water improvement projects.
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The Board also approved Winnetka Park District’s request that the Village allow the service of alcoholic beverages at the Halfway House on the Park District’s Golf Course.
The majority of the meeting was spent discussing the request for a special use permit and variations by @ Properties. Michael Golden and Mike Rourke, of @ Properties, appeared before the Board to explain their intent to expand their storefront on Greenbay Road. Questions arose concerning whether or not the expansion would create too much demand for street parking in front of the business.
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John Louis, a neighboring business owner, expressed concern that the @ Properties expansion dismayed both him and the rest of the business district.
"It troubles me greatly," Louis said of the expansion. "It should be at the expense of our customers parking three blocks away."
Despite a long debate, Board members voted to grant the special use permit and variations to @ Properties.
“@ Properties took a vacant lot, bought it and brought life back to that space,” Trustee Christopher Rintz said. “They were successful in an area that doesn’t often welcome realtors.” He and Trustee Jennifer Spinney were strongly in favor of supporting @ Properties and the general business interest.
A calendar note: The Board’s Jan. 3 meeting was rescheduled on Jan. 10. The Board will continue to meet in the Winnetka Police Station until early February.
