Winnetka Trustees Respond to Dec. 6 Meeting

On Friday, Dec. 9, Winnetka-Glencoe Patch sent emails to the seven members of the and asked for reactions to the Dec. 6 meeting. We explained that their responses would be published in one follow-up article.

Village trustees voted 4-3 on Dec. 6 to approve a resolution to halt the affordable housing debate and voted in favor of the property maintenance code.*

EARLIER:

Following that email, we also called each trustee and the village president on Monday at their home phone number to confirm they received the message. Below, you can see the responses from those trustees who answered. Of the seven, three offered their thoughts, which have not been edited except for grammatical errors.

EARLIER:

1. TRUSTEE JENNIFER SPINNEY

My only comment is that I believe the trustees and President Tucker were thoughtful and deliberate on the Affordable Housing discussion. We did not close the door for future councils. We listened to the residents and voted. I am especially grateful for the years of work by the Plan Commission. They took on a difficult assignment and delivered an outstanding product. At the end of the day, for now, I feel the Council listened to residents and voted. I appreciate the feedback I have received from friends and residents supporting the conclusion.

2. TRUSTEE WILLIAM JOHNSON

The fact that three Council members voted both for and three against the proposal regarding how more moderately priced housing might or might not be encouraged and the tie vote decided by the vote of the the Council president illustrates the very difficult position the Council found itself in on Tuesday December 6th. 

I have the greatest respect for Becky Hurley, Chair of the Plan Commission, and the members of the Plan Commission who worked extensively and thoughtfully to produce their report. Once any Commission has made its report to the Trustees, the Council is then tasked with the responsibility to weigh not only the report itself but the long term effects on the Village, the mood of the citizens, legal issues, possible unintended consequences, etc. 

Issues like this can be very divisive, and, I believe, part of a trustee's job is to bring people together and not create or foster divisions in the community. I believe what we did will do this while leaving the door open for as many as 30 coach houses to be rented (if the Council votes to approve this) which would add to our supply of more moderately priced residences.

Sometimes charting a middle course and making no one happy may take more courage but it may open thought to new opportunities and, by defusing the situation somewhat, may lead us forward in a more harmonious direction.

3. TRUSTEE ARTHUR BRAUN

I'm afraid that I have nothing to add to last Tuesday's discussion and voting on Affordable Housing.

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*Dec. 15 9:20 a.m. Correction: The property maintenance code was passed without amendment to the wording.