Winnetka Votes to End Affordable Housing Plan; Property Maintenance Code Passes

NEWS BRIEF, 1:30 a.m.

Affordable Housing

Village trustees voted 4-3 to approve a resolution to end the affordable housing debate in . After several hours of public comments and trustee debate, the resolution was amended and a majority of council members voted that the council should not expand the current affordable housing plan.

This effectively puts to rest the plan prescribed by the Winnetka Plan Commission, which worked on new affordable housing legislation for about five years.

Becky Hurley of the Plan Commission said, "It was a spirited discussion that got to the values of our community. I respect the council's decision. However, I am unclear about the priorities of the village." She noted the different affordable housing mandates of the village during public comments. 

The wording of the amended Section Two of the resolution reads: "Given the current condition of the economy, cost of land and lack of meaningful development opportunities in the village, it is the opinion of the council that the Amended Affordable Housing Plan adopted May 10, 2005 not be amended further at this time." 

Carry Buck, the chairman of Winnetka Home Owners Association (WHOA), said, "The Affordable Housing iniative has been stopped and that's good enough for now — but the decision leaves room for it to resurrect. Thank God the referendum is still in place."

Property Maintenance Code

Trustees voted in favor of the property maintenance code.

The council voted unanimously in favor of the code, which gives the village power to intervene in problematic landlord-renter situations, among other issues.

Check back for a more detailed story on Patch soon.

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