TOWN OF NORMAL PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2006, 5:00 P.M.
REGULAR RESCHEDULED MEETING, CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
100 E. PHOENIX AVE., NORMAL, IL
Members Present:
Ms. Moonan, Mr. Swanlund, Mr. Bartley, Mr. Boser, Mr. Feid and Ms. Struck
Members Absent:
None
Others Present:
Mr. Mahrt, Corporation Counsel, Ms. Davison, Town Planner, Mr. Troemel, Director of Inspections, Mr. Brown, Town Engineer, Mr. Hall, Public Works Director, Mr. Little, Parks and Recreation Director and Ms. McHenry, Office Associate
Call to Order:
Chairperson Moonan called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. and noted a quorum was present.
Approval of Minutes:
Minutes of the July 6, 2006, meeting were approved as submitted.
Public Hearing:
- 06-10-21-PC: Amended Final Development Plan, Kelly Glen
PUD (Southeast corner of Henry and Raab Rd.)
Ms. Davison reviewed the staff report. She said that the Commission had originally reviewed this plan in March, 2003. It is a Traditional Neighborhood Design subdivision. The request is to make some of the lots wider to allow for larger yards; therefore, there will be less density.
Mr. Frank Miles, 202 N. Center St., Bloomington, IL, was sworn in by Chairperson Moonan. Mr. Miles said that he represented Mr. Larry Hundman, who was also present. He said that the new plan will take out 13 units. The reason is that the families want more yard space. Staff’s suggestion to add windows on the blank walls is acceptable.
Ms. Struck asked how many windows would be added on the blank walls. Mr. Miles said that it would depend on the rooms that were on that side of the house.
Mr. Swanlund asked if the limit of no more than 25% of the houses on any block having the same exterior design still pertained. Ms. Davison said that it did.
There was no one else to speak regarding the application.
Mr. Bartley moved, seconded by Mr. Swanlund, to recommend approval of the application with Staff recommendations to Council.
Mr. Feid asked if the house designs would be approved by Staff. Ms. Davison said that they would.
Ayes: Mr. Bartley, Mr. Swanlund, Mr. Boser, Mr. Feid, Ms. Struck and Ms. Moonan
Nays: None
Motion declared carried.
- 06-10-22-PC: Preliminary Planned Unit Development, Heartland
Village (South of Raab Road on Parkside)
Ms. Davison reviewed the Staff report. She said that the development had gone through the Regional Planning Review process and because they added another entrance, they received a grade B.
Mr. Darren Rogers, 3 Raspberry Rd., Bloomington, IL, was sworn in by Chairperson Moonan. Mr. Rogers said that this was an 8½ acre parcel that is zoned multi-family. He said that they built Heartland Ridge and have recently sold it. They believe that they have improved on the Heartland Ridge development with this development. They will be 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartments with master bedrooms. There are no hallways and no balconies. There will be brick all the way up the building in areas. There will be a community building and a fitness center. There will be a half mile track on the site. The site will have a fence surrounding it.
Ms. Struck asked if there would be any K-12 age students living there. Mr. Rogers said that it was designed for college students. He said that Heartland Ridge does not have any families with K-12 age living there.
Mr. Boser asked if they had a shuttle bus. Mr. Rogers said that they did not.
Chairperson Moonan asked if the trail would hook up with Constitution Trail. Ms. Davison said that it would not.
Mr. Swanlund asked if the stub street connected to Heartland Ridge. Mr. Rogers said that it did not. Ms. Davison said that the stub street locations would allow them to connect to the planned commercial development.
Mr. Feid asked if the development was gated. Mr. Rogers said no, it would have a fence.
Mr. Feid asked about the single entrance. Mr. Rogers said that in comparison, Vernon Stables has 176 units with three entrances and Heartland Ridge has 144 units with a single entrance.
Mr. Rogers said that in regard to Staff’s recommendation regarding location of bike racks in front of each building, they would like to place them at a more central location due to aesthetics. Ms. Davison said that they could discuss this. Possibly they could be placed between the buildings.
Mr. Feid asked if there would be a sidewalk installed on Parkside Rd. Mr. Brown said that there is already one there.
Mr. Feid asked about the water main extension. Mr. Troemel said that the developer will have to deal with that issue. Mr. Rogers said that it will not stop the project and they would work it out.
There was no one else to speak regarding the application.
Mr. Boser moved, seconded by Mr. Bartley, to recommend approval of the application to Council with Staff recommendations and the recommendation to work with Staff to relocate the bike racks.
Ayes: Mr. Bartley, Mr. Swanlund, Mr. Boser, Mr. Feid, Ms. Struck and Ms. Moonan
Nays: None
Motion declared carried.
- 06-10-23-PC: Amended Final Development Plan, Franklin
Heights (Northwest corner of Ft. Jesse and Towanda Barnes Rd.)
Ms. Davison reviewed the Staff report. She said that the building will be 21,000 sq. ft. It will be open to the public and, therefore, will need to be rezoned. Originally the building needed to be built by June, 2007. There has been a request to extend that date to October, 2007.
Mr. Steve Ladage, 25 Quest Dr., Bloomington, IL, was sworn in by Chairperson Moonan. Mr. Feid asked what mechanical equipment would be necessary. Mr. Ladage said that it would be determined with the design drawings. It will be geothermal and will be screened.
Mr. Boser asked for a size comparison. Mr. Troemel said that the 1st Farm Credit Services building on Jacobssen Dr. would be a comparable building in size, maybe slightly smaller.
Ms. Struck asked if it were possible to get the building constructed within a year. Mr. Ladage said that it was. They are asking for an October, 2007 date. Ms. Davison said that this date could be included in the conditions for approval.
Ms. Struck asked what the distance was from the building to the lake trail was for the construction of a connecting trail. Mr. Troemel said that it was about 100 feet.
Ms. Struck asked if the building would be able to sustain itself. Mr. Troemel said that this was the reason for making it a public building.
There was no one else to speak regarding the application.
Mr. Swanlund moved, seconded by Mr. Boser, to recommend approval of the application to Council with approved conditions and the change in the completion date of October, 2007.
Ayes: Mr. Bartley, Mr. Swanlund, Mr. Boser, Mr. Feid, Ms. Struck and Ms. Moonan
Nays: None
Motion declared carried.
- 06-10-24-PC: Amended Final Development Plan, Constitution
Trail Centre (Northeast corner of Raab Rd. and Main St.)
Ms. Davison reviewed the Staff report. She said that the conditions would carry over from the previous plan approvals.
Mr. Don Adams, 2709 McGraw Dr., Bloomington, IL, was sworn in by Chairperson Moonan. Ms. Moonan asked if there was a start date for the project. Mr. Adams said that they did not have a date. Mr. Adams said that they have added a water park feature to the hotel. They will match the lighting and landscaping that will be throughout the development.
Ms. Struck asked if the sign was located behind the hotel. Mr. Adams said that it would be located along Main Street.
Mr. Bartley asked when they were going to start on the infrastructure. Mr. Adams said that he did not know; there is still some financing being worked out.
There was no one else to speak regarding the application.
Ms. Struck moved, seconded by Mr. Bartley, to recommend approval of the application to Council with previously approved conditions.
Ayes: Mr. Bartley, Mr. Swanlund, Mr. Boser, Mr. Feid, Ms. Struck and Ms. Moonan
Nays: None
Motion declared carried.
- 06-10-25-PC: Amended Site Plan, 611 S. Linden (Addition
of Outdoor Theater to the Parks and Recreation Annex)
Ms. Davison reviewed the Staff report. She said that the previously approved building at One Normal Plaza was too costly. The new site is 611 S. Linden.
Mr. Little said that there has been a need for an outdoor theater program. It is a sloping site and will be tiered. There are trees and it is adjacent to Constitution Trail and close to Underwood Park. There will be additional parking at Underwood Park if necessary. There are portable restrooms on the trail and, if necessary, additional restrooms can be located behind the theater building. Other programs will be at the theater also.
Ms. Struck asked if there was sufficient parking for daytime events. Mr. Little said that there was parking at the Annex and they may work out an agreement with the apartment complex across the street. Ms. Struck said that the trail closes at dusk and asked what time the shows are over. Mr. Little said that he believed it was about 9:00 p.m. Mr. Bartley said that it was around 10:00 to 10:30 p.m.
Mr. Bartley suggested that more permanent restrooms be added to the building at this time. He asked about the sound and suggested a time limit.
Ms. Struck said that she had a concern with the noise and the homes to the south. Mr. Little said that the trees would block some of the sound and they would take it into consideration.
Mr. Bartley asked about the dressing rooms and restrooms. He suggested adding another stall. Mr. Little said that there was one dressing room on each side, one for the men and one for the women. Dusty Corey, Felmley Dickerson Co., said that adding restrooms is costly and they did not have the funds for additional restrooms. Mr. Little said that they would look into adding restrooms and try to accomplish it. Mr. Swanlund asked if there were plans for permanent public restrooms. Mr. Little said that they were looking at it. He said that it is costly and the cost for the new restrooms at Anderson Park was $100,000.
Mr. Feid asked about parking for the public. Mr. Troemel said that the apartments across the street did not have a 12 month use and it might be possible to use their parking lot. Mr. Little said that they have two 15-passenger vans and they can shuttle people from City Hall if necessary.
Mr. Boser asked what access there was to the non-hard surfaced parking. Mr. Troemel said that it was west of the surfaced parking and to the south of the Parks and Recreation building. Mr. Boser asked how many new spaces would be added at Underwood Park. Mr. Little said that there would be 40 to 50 new spaces.
Mr. Swanlund asked about access on the north side of the bridge. Mr. Little said that there was access.
Ms. Struck asked if the neighbors to the south would be contacted. Mr. Troemel said that they were notified of the public hearing.
Ms. Davison said that they were asking to waive the Community Design Standards since this is an addition to a site.
Chairperson Moonan asked what the lighting would be like. Ms. Davison said that there would be stage lighting.
There was no one else to speak regarding the application.
Mr. Bartley moved, seconded by Mr. Boser, to recommend approval of the application to Council.
Ayes: Mr. Bartley, Mr. Swanlund, Mr. Boser, Mr. Feid, Ms. Struck and Ms. Moonan
Nays: None
Motion declared carried.
Other Business:
Ms. Davison said that there was a conference on October 13, 2006.
The new commission member, R.C. McBride, has been appointed by Council.
Adjournment:
There being no further business, Mr. Bartley moved, seconded
by Mr. Boser, to adjourn the meeting at 6:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila McHenry
Office Associate