NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) — Normal Town Council approved an amendment to its short-term rental rules.

During Monday’s meeting, new rules were approved five to two, with council members Kathleen Lorenz and Scott Preston voting against them.

The new rules will stop the creation of new short-term rentals and phase out the ones that are currently in an R1 and R2 zoning district, which will have to be phased out within five years.

The council also added an amendment that would allow short-term rentals in owner-occupied properties in R1 and R2 zoning districts.

The goal of the regulations is to protect the supply of affordable housing, reduce disruption in single-family areas and preserve zoning integrity.

“I am not convinced we have the best solution tonight, we have the start of a framework,” Council Member Kevin McCarthy said.

Normal first implemented rules on short-term rentals in 2018. This included registering with the town, limiting the number of people at the rentals, and paying taxes.

According to a presentation from the town, there are currently 66 short-term rentals registered with the town, which are owned by 42 entities. Of which 23% of owners are from Normal and 92% are from Illinois.

The Normal Town Council also approved funding for a new playground at West Anderson Park.

The council unanimously approved it during the Omnibus Agenda vote.

The vote approved $102,918 for the purchase of a modular playground and rubber surfacing under the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program.

The vote also approved the associated budget adjustment that went with the purchase of the playground.

The full meeting can be watched here.

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