NORMAL – As a result of a series of four resolutions passed by Normal Town Council members at their regularly scheduled session Monday night in Council Chambers, Love’s Travel Stops and Country Store, and an RV Park which would be adjacent to it received approval to move forward with construction a 9,800-square-foot gas station with an attached Bojangles restaurant. In addition, developers will add a 13,000-square-foot Speedco tires shop at the northwest corner of North Main Street and Interstate 55.
The proposed site plan also included a sign 200-foot high, which would require Council members to approve an exception for it since the Town limits such signs height to 75-feet. Town staff did recommend a code variance to allow the sign.
In the first of four resolutions discussed, Council members voted unanimously without discussion to approve an ordinance rezoning the property the 30.5 acre truck stop will sit on changing its zoning from Agriculture to B-1 (General Business).
A second resolution approving a site plan for Love’s passed unanimously. Among the amenities planned for the site, according to a report prepared for Council members by Town Planner Mercy Davison, will be a gas station with a convenience store, restaurant, and dog park; A truck stop with truck fueling, a Speedco tire and repair shop which will include 91 spaces for overnight parking; and a 63-space recreational vehicle park complete with grilling area, trail system, and dog park.
Council members unanimously approved a third resolution conditionally approving a preliminary subdivision plan for the new business, and with a fourth unanimous vote approved the final plat of the travel center subdivision where the business will be housed at the northwest corner of Main St. and I-55.
But while Council’s vote gave the go-ahead for the project, they heard an objection from John Larkin, Hudson, whose father lives on a farm just north of the proposed truck stop. Larkin said he was at that meeting “to advocate for†a fence along the northern edge of the Love’s property.
Among his concerns were activity from the tire repair center which would be open 24 hours, and security which would keep unwanted visitors from going onto his father’s nearly century old 30 acre property. He said he was also concerned about potential trespassers and trash from the truck stop which might end up on his father’s property without some sort of high fencing.
“We’re asking for a more substantial fence, a solid fence, and a sound barrier,†Larkin said.
Moratorium Related To Utility Late Payments And Shutoffs To End In October: City Manager Pam Reece told Council members the moratorium the Town put in effect when the pandemic began in March 2020 related to late payment fees and electricity shutoffs associated with utilities will come to an end in October. “We are looking to lift that moratorium in October which means we will start notifying those customers in our utility billing system of their current status,†she explained. “If they have past due accounts, we will start working with them on a repayment schedule, if appropriate.†She added the Town would look to see if some of these people would be eligible for assist programs. “We’ll work closely to get all the eligible folks appropriate assistance and working on a repayment schedule for our customers,†she explained.
Council Approves Reducing Lots At Evergreen Villas: Council members voted 6-1 to approve a change in the number of lots at the Evergreen Village Planned Unit Development, from 13 down to 12. Council Member Kathleen Lorenz cast the lone dissenting vote. Council members heard from residents including former Mayor Paul Harmon, who spoke during public comments on behalf of roughly two dozen residents who live at Evergreen Village who attended the session. Among their concerns, he said, was that residents found working with the developer difficult, explaining the developer failed to keep some promises made to residents.
Omnibus Agenda Items Approved: Omnibus agenda items approved by the Council included:
• Approval of minutes of the regular Council meeting of Sept. 7, 2021.
• Report to receive and file Town of Normal expenditures for payment as of Sept. 15, 2021.
• A resolution to waive the formal bidding process and accept a quote from Peoria-based Koenig Body and Equipment, Inc. for the purchase and installation of snow plow and salt spreading equipment on two Town Water Department dump trucks totaling $81,018 and an associated budget adjustment.
• A resolution authorizing adoption of Medicare Advantage Insurance benefit for Post-65 retirees and covered spouses.
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