TOWN OF NORMAL PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2006, 5:00 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING, CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
100 E. PHOENIX AVE., NORMAL, IL
Members Present:
Ms. Moonan, Mr. Swanlund, Mr. Bartley, Mr. Boser, Mr. Feid, Ms. Struck and Mr. McBride
Members Absent:
None
Others Present:
Mr. Mahrt, Corporation Counsel, Ms. Davison, Town Planner, Mr. Troemel, Director of Inspections, Mr. Brown, Town Engineer, 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.
Chairperson Moonan introduced and welcomed the new Commission member, Mr. McBride.
Approval of Minutes:
Minutes of the October 4, 2006, meeting were approved as submitted.
Public Hearing:
- 06-11-26-PC: Preliminary Subdivision Plan, Crossroads
Center
Mr. Frank Miles, 202 N. Center St., Bloomington, IL, was sworn in by Chairperson Moonan. Mr. Miles said that Sugar Oaks had purchased Crossroads Center a couple of years ago. They buy distressed malls and convert them to other uses. He said that they had a purchaser for the south building and a purchaser for the north building with the lot to the west. They want to create a seven lot subdivision. The infrastructure is in place. There will be access from the public roads with easements. There is a looped water main. It is a public, City of Bloomington water main. The storm water detention basin would be dedicated to the Town after improvements are made and it is accepted by the Town. There are no plans for building at this time except for the possibility of a building in the northwest corner. The Community Design Standards will be applied when the lots are built on. There has been some additional landscaping done along Enterprise Dr.
Mr. Troemel said that there will be parking for each lot. There were more spaces than required when the mall was originally built. Three of the lots will require site plan review. Community Design Standards will still apply to each lot.
Chairperson Moonan said that she was not comfortable with dividing up the lots.
Mr. Miles said that the owner would insure the uses before selling the lots. Some prospective buyers are established local businesses wanting to relocate.
Mr. Feid asked if the intent of dividing up the lots was marketing. Mr. Miles said that it was. He said that the south building is to be condos and they have a major buyer for the north building and the northwest lot. There is a possibility of building free-standing buildings on the vacant lots. Uses could be office or light warehousing.
Ms. Struck said that she felt that the change would be positive and more marketable. Mr. Bartley said that he agreed. Ms. Moonan said that she was still concerned with different ownership. Mr. Miles said that there would be 5 or 6 different owners.
Mr. Feid asked if the storm sewer was to become public, should it be in an easement. Mr. Brown said that it was not necessary for individual lots.
Mr. Feid asked if they would be creating non-conformities. Mr. Miles said that the non-conformities would go away when they were developed.
Mr. Chad Jones, Manger of Crossroads Center, 13839 N 2900 Rd., Ellsworth, IL, was sworn in by Chairperson Moonan. Mr. Jones said that they will not go through existing parking.
Mr. Troemel asked if a business association needed to be formed. Mr. Mahrt said that it would be left up to the property owners.
Mr. Feid noted that there had been problems at Landmark Mall with separate ownership and maintenance issues.
Ms. Struck moved, seconded by Mr. Bartley, to recommend approval of the application with Staff recommendations to Council.
Ayes: Mr. Bartley, Mr. Boser, Mr. Feid, Mr. Swanlund, Ms. Struck and Mr. McBride
Nays: Ms. Moonan
Motion declared carried.
- 06-11-27-PC: Amended Preliminary Subdivision Plan,
Vineyards Subdivision (Southeast corner of Raab Road and
Airport Rd.)
Ms. Davison reviewed the Staff Report. She said that the area was the northeast corner which is Silver Oaks Estates. It is zoned R1A and located on a detention basin/lake. There is a sidewalk on one side of the street. They are requesting to not place a sidewalk around the lake and place one in front of the homes instead.
Mr. Bill Brady, 1202 Elmwood, Bloomington, IL, was sworn in by Chairperson Moonan. Mr. Brady said that none of the buyers desire a sidewalk in the rear yard. He said that Royal Links is a similar development and there is not a sidewalk in the rear yards. People prefer privacy and also the lake attracts geese which cause a mess on the sidewalks. He said that people prefer to walk in front of the homes.
Chairperson Moonan said that this was an amenity. Mr. Brady said that originally the main issues were to have homes of different values in the development. He said that the backyards are not that large and buyers don’t want the sidewalk in the rear yards.
Mr. Swanlund asked if the lake access would be removed. Mr. Brady said that it would not be removed.
Chairperson Moonan said that developers come in with an innovative development and then change it. Mr. Brady said that this is a high end development. Similar competition is Royal Links and they do not have a sidewalk in the rear.
Ms. Struck asked for the proposed sidewalk area to be clarified. Ms. Davison pointed it out on the map.
Mr. Swanlund noted that it was only about 40’ to 45’ from the back of the homes to the lake.
Ms. Struck said that she felt this was a safety issue. There are no lights on the trail at night and there are lights on the street.
Mr. Feid asked if the trail was eliminated, would the sidewalk be of value. Mr. Troemel said that it was required by code.
Mr. Bartley moved, seconded by Mr. Swanlund, to recommend approval of removing the sidewalk around the lake to Council.
Ayes: Mr. Bartley, Mr. Boser, Mr. Feid, Mr. Swanlund and Ms. Struck.
Nays: Mr. McBride and Ms. Moonan.
Motion declared carried.
Other Business:
None
Adjournment:
There being no further business, Mr. Bartley moved, seconded
by Mr. Boser, to adjourn the meeting at 5:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila McHenry
Office Associate