NORMAL – The Normal Town Council, during its regular Monday session at City Hall, voted, by a 6-1 count, to table until early next year the passing on a trio of items related to the Oaks on Hovey townhouse development.

City staff reported that the land must be rezoned from being considered family residential to mixed residential because college students, families with children, and seniors make up the groups of people who reside at the complex.

And that, it appears in light of developer Jeff Tinervin’s want to expand the property, is where the council has been alerted to problems between the groups living there.

Tinervin addressed the council, seeking a positive vote to rezone 2.65 acres of land so that he can add 6 new buildings to the property.

Tinervin is looking to put six new townhouses, made up of 30 four-bedroom units, and adding 100 parking spaces.

The Oaks On Hovey already has 14 townhouses. The addition Tinervin wants to make would, when completed, give The Oaks On Hovey a total of 100 four-bedroom units and 380 parking spaces.

Council member Cheryl Gaines told Tinervin that area residents “see lifestyles at odds” between the three groups.

Gaines said she has received reports from residents of security issues at the complex.

Tinervin said security works the grounds from 9p.m.-3:30a.m., and works with student residents to make sure they are aware of consequences of unruly behavior.

Tinervin said student residents who disturb their neighbors are visited by security for a first offense in addition to receiving a letter from management, receive a second letter for a second offense, and, if there is a third infraction, face eviction.

Property managers use visits by security and warning letters prior to eviction, Tinervin said.

Tinervin pledged to the council to work with Normal Police and to evict troublesome tenants.

To a question by council member Jason Chambers, Tinervin said he has not had to evict any tenants based on complaints made by their neighbors. Chambers voted in lone opposition to tabling the issue.

Among the more tense moments during the discussion came when council member Adam Nielsen asked Tinervin if he would be willing to scale back the development of the project. Currently, Tinervin’s plans would mean The Oaks On Hovey would grow by 43 percent.

Neilsen asked Tinervin if “(Tinervin) could live with expanding the property to just half of what is proposed for development)?”

Tinervin’s reply to Neilsen was a sharp “no.”

In discussion before the council’s vote, Mayor Chris Koos said, “I have a level of confidence in Mr. Tinervin and in what he says he can do (about the situation). This is a situation we can never control.”

“When it comes to student complexes near single family units, you have to be flexible,” Neilsen said. “I haven’t heard (about flexibility) tonight.”

Council member Sonja Reece said that neighbors need to stay involved in their community to help the situation to improve. “Let’s try to figure out what the council, Mr. Tinervin, and Normal Police can all do to make the situation better,” she added.

Following the meeting, City Manager Mark Peterson said city staff will be responsible for researching what, if anything, has changed between the neighbors between now and when the council takes the matter up again in January.

“By tabling this, the council is saying, ‘we’re still willing to consider the development as proposed, (but) we’re not making any guarantees,'” Peterson said.

Proclamation Issued: Prior to the start of the meeting, Koos read a proclamation recognizing one of Normal’s oldest institutions which, after a century, is disbanding.

About 20 members of the Women’s Improvement League were in council chambers as Koos read a proclamation honoring the League for its efforts to improve the community over the years.

Begun in 1907, among the League’s accomplishments in its century of existence were the planting of thousands of trees throughout the community and lobbying for a train station for the town.

The proclamation declared Aug. 21, 2007 to be “Women’s Improvement League Day” in the Town of Normal.

Sweetcorn Festival Starts Saturday: It may have a more official title – The Sweetcorn Blues Festival – but many know it simply as “Corn Fest.” And on Saturday, for the 19th straight year, the annual late Summer event kicks off for two days, consisting of music, crafts, and food, particularly corn.

As in past years, the Fest will run between the North St./Fell Ave. intersection and the Constitution Trail. The town’s other Summer staple, the Sugar Creek Arts Festival in July, was reworked in light of construction projects on both North St. and Fell Ave.

Peterson said no such issues exist with the Sweetcorn Festival.

Omnibus Agenda Approved: Among the omnibus agenda items the council approved were:

• Accepting a bid in the amount of $56,075.63 from Novanis Co. for the purchase of Core Network Infrastructure Equipment.

• Approving a motion to authorize a reimbursement to Steinbach, Inc. in the amount of $17,936 for electrical service on Block E in Uptown Normal and approving the necessary budget adjustment. Block E includes the Medici Restaurant, currently being constructed.

• Approving a resolution authorizing the honorary designation of a portion of Gregory St. as D. A. Weibring Boulevard. A formal ceremony the designation is slated for Sept. 7.

• Approving a resolution authorizing execution of an agreement with Chestnut Global Partners for Employee Assistance Program services.

• Approving a resolution authorizing execution of an intergovernmental agreement with Illinois State University pertaining to fire protection service.

• Approving a resolution accepting a warranty deed from University Christian Church for a portion of the property located at 206 W. North St. in the amount of $10,000.

• Approving a resolution conditionally approving a preliminary subdivision plan for the Kings Mill Acres subdivision.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 21st, 2007 at 10:21 am and is filed under Normal Town Council, The Normalite. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.