Affordable Housing Strategy Outlined at Forum

Winnetka residents hear various authorities discuss updating plan and report suggestions.

After six years of fact gathering, the Winnetka Plan Commission on Sunday released what it considers the best course of action for the future of affordable housing in the village. About two dozen residents sat in the brightly lit auditorium of at Carleton Washburne School, which prides itself on "exploring possibilities for the future," while commission Chairwoman Becky Hurley along with Village President Jessica Tucker and representatives from state and local housing authorities discussed the housing plan, which will be submitted for council approval in late fall. Their discussions included what the affordable housing plan would mean for building construction and housing costs. Earlier: Nonprofit Fires Back at Homeowners Association …

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Council to Discuss Coach House Ordinance

Changes to decades-old rules could add 35 to 38 rental units to Winntaka's housing stock.

More than 30 coach houses could be available for rent as council reviews an ordinance to lift restrictions on the renting of coach houses. The village council is expected to discuss revisions to the zoning regulations for coach houses at a study session on Tuesday, Sept. 13. If the council opts to move forward with a change to zoning regulations, a subsequent public hearing will be held at a future date. Earlier: Residents weigh in on affordable housing plan Current zoning rules prohibit renting coach houses that have been vacant for more than six months and restrict the property owners' ability to improve and upgrade the buildings. Winnetka’s affordable housing plan proposes the rule changes to give property owners the option of renting …

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Wait, Wait...Do Tell Me

Letter to the Editor: Trustee Makes Public Apology

Winnetka Village Trustee Christopher Rintz discusses the Sept. 6 meeting.

I ask that your publication will allow me to extend a public apology to both Jim Sayegh and the attendees of the Sept. 6 village council meeting.   While I fully stand by my message, the manner that it was delivered was regrettable and unacceptable. After working four hours of a nearly five hour long meeting, and revisiting a subject that has been studied in minutiae on countless occasions (did I say 10 hours?), I simply lost my patience. Earlier: Property Maintenance Code Debate Heats Up It is also regretful that the local bloggers have chosen to make this issue, as well as many others, about the people who are deliberating, on behalf of the community, rather than the issue itself. If we are to guide the future of our wonderful village, …

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Property Maintenance Code Debate Heats Up

No vote taken after about two hours of debate as the code was sent back for revisions.

As the evening dragged past its fourth hour, audience members at the Winnetka Village Council meeting sighed heavily, repeatedly crossing and uncrossing their legs and shifted in their seats. Those in attendance paid attention, waiting for the discussion of the property maintenance code that was recommended by the Winnetka Plan Commission in April to keep rental property available for those with less income. It was also discussed in a council information session in June. The rental and commercial property ordinance would give officials a way to regulate poorly maintained living spaces. After nearly two hours of discussion, one thing that was clear was that the code that was up for introduction Tuesday night was not up to par for some …

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Winnetka Council Roundup: BP Station Approved and Affordable Housing Debated

After a nearly five-hour meeting, the council has sent the property maintenance code back for changes and delayed action on affordable housing.

Missed the Winnetka Village Council meeting on Tuesday? Patch has you covered.  For close to five hours, Winnetka village council members debated issues buzzing around the community in recent months. Property Maintenance Code Sent Back for Tweaks: A standard version of a rental and commercial property ordinance was not voted on after some council and audience members flatly said they it did not appear ready. While the basics of the code are agreed upon, requirements for property owners and enforcement were debated. Trustee Richard Kates worried the current code could open the village up to legal issues, since he didn't think it left room for discretion, something community development director Michael D'Onofrio said it does allow. Business…

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What's on the Agenda: Winnetka Council, Sept. 6

Check out what's coming up at tonight's Winnetka Village Council meeting.

Winnetka's Village Council will host its first September meeting tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Winnetka Police Department. Patch wants to give you a preview of the evening by highlighting parts of the agenda. A copy of the agenda is included in the media uploader. According to the Village website, agenda highlights include: Check back with Winnetka-Glencoe Patch for any updates on the meeting. Like us on Facebook!

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Nonprofit Fires Back at Homeowners Association Claims

Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs reacts to Winnetka Home Owners Assocation's new website page.

In yet another rhetorical battle in the affordable housing war, a Winnetka-based nonprofit organization is fighting a homeowners association's new webpage that is dedicated to derailing the nonprofit's efforts. The Winnetka Home Owners Association (WHOA)'s new webpage about Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs (IHCNS) discusses the make-up of the nonprofit, its history and its goals. "Why won’t this Affordable Housing issue go away? Who is behind this? FOLLOW THE MONEY...," reads the top headline on the page. Gail Schechter, of the IHCNS, sent an email entitled "Open Letter to Our Supporters" on Tuesday. In the letter, the executive director said: "I'm writing you today because the Interfaith Housing Center and its mission are…

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Patch's Coverage on Affordable Housing In the North Shore

Check out Patch's reporting on Winnetka's controversial affordable housing initiative.

Affordable housing has become a buzz term along the North Shore, as recent attention at a village level has increased awareness of issues in home costs. Here's a list of recent stories on the issue:

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Deteriorating Dwellings: Village Aims to Protect Renters

Winnetka trustees asked to see a draft of a property maintenance code that would provide a first line of defense against negligent landlords.

When Jennifer McQuet moved to Winnetka three years ago, she expected to be treated with dignity. And for a time, she was. But soon she began to feel stigmatized for renting.  “Renters here are openly referred to as transients,” McQuet said before the Winnetka trustees during Tuesday night's study session. “They’re seen as people who don't work hard enough to afford a home.” The real trouble began when she and her family moved into a house. “When our basement flooded for the third time, our landlord blamed us for flushing diapers,” she said. “I have teenagers. We swallowed a $13,000 deposit.”  Other residents have complained about their landlords refusing to respond to mold. Or leaky ceilings. Or poor ventilation. It was to heed these …

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Affordable Housing on Tuesday Study Session Agenda

Winnetka village trustees will be discussing a few parts of the plan at a study session.

Winnetka trustees are scheduled to discuss affordable housing initiatives in a study session Tuesday night. Trustees will consider a building property maintenance code for commercial and mixed-use buildings (i.e. businesses with apartments above them), which was brought up at the council's April 12 study session on the affordable housing plan. At that meeting, the council asked village staff to look further into the maintenance code, as well as coach house policies and standards of affordability. To view the agenda packet, click here. Check Winnetka-Glencoe Patch Wednesday morning for a recap of the meeting.

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