Tourists first,residents peasants in Lake Geneva

The Lake Geneva Short-Term Rental (STR) fiasco in residential neighborhoods is the latest debacle from the AD HOC committee under the reign of Mayor Todd Krause. This committee, chaired by the ever-optimistic Joel Hoiland, and supported by the Alderman from the war-torn district, has set its sights on making tourists a priority over residents. As Hoiland declares with the fervor of a snake oil salesman, “We live in a tourist destination, and we need to recognize that many STRs bring value to our community. They pay property taxes, provide jobs, and their guests patronize local restaurants, businesses, and entertainment venues.”

These so-called changes to Lake Geneva’s STR ordinance, which has been ignored for the past six years, are nothing short of a giveaway to the transient hordes. The rental period, once a respectable minimum of seven days, is now proposed to be slashed to a mere two days because who cares if this place turns into a weekend madhouse? The maximum rental period, formerly capped at 180 consecutive days, is set to be extended to an entire year. The rule on the maximum number of occupants per bedroom? Gone. Guest parking? Who needs it on-site? Let them clog the streets!

And as for noise? Well, the new ordinance generously allows guests to raise hell from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekends. It’s a free-for-all!

This AD HOC committee is hell-bent on expanding STRs in every residential nook and cranny, with one notable exception: newly elected Alderperson Sheri Ames. She stands as the lone voice of sanity, declaring, “The fact is that allowing STRs in residential neighborhoods changes our neighborhoods. I am not a fan of STRs in residential neighborhoods, and you will not change my mind on that.”

In this circus, it’s clear: tourists are king, and residents are mere peasants in their own town.

And here it is:

Just to clarify, Sheri Amines was not added to this committee by Mayor Todd Krause ,which is unfortunate but not surprising, because she wants stop STR’s from taking over Lake Geneva’s residential neighborhoods. She just a powerless bystander like the rest of us peasants.