PEORIA, Ill. – The Peoria City Council may be close to changing its mind regarding whether or not two Airbnb’s can be located in the city’s Uplands neighborhood.
The Council Tuesday night voted 10-1 and 9-1 to move forward with reconsidering allowing properties on North Elwood and West Columbia Terrace as short-term rentals through special use permits.
District Three Council Member Tim Riggenbach says reconsideration of defeated measures doesn’t happen often, but this time, is needed.
“I think it shows some wisdom and some willingness of the council to hear concerns throughout the community, as well as among our colleagues,” said Riggenbach.
At-Large member Beth Jensen initially voted “no” again on one of the reconsiderations because she says the right decision has already been made.
“I do support and commend Councilmen Riggenbach and [Chuck] Graeyb for asking the staff to look at other limitations that we can add to them,” said Jensen. “I’m supportive of having a limitation on the transferability of these special use permits.”
Council members agreed to let the Planning and Zoning Commission have its say on the matter before their October 12th vote.
Council member Zach Oyler voted “no” on one of the reconsiderations, because said after two years of working on such proposals, he had waited long enough to give them an answer.
