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Planning commission recommends adding 6 buildings to The Oaks
By Mary Ann Ford
mford@pantagraph.com
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NORMAL — A plan to add six buildings to The Oaks on Hovey was recommended by the Normal Planning Commission on Wednesday after neighbors and the developer reached an agreement on addressing problems at the apartment complex.

Many of the neighbors who complained about continual problems with noise and foul language met with developer Jeff Tinervin and members of town staff Monday to discuss possible solutions.

Town Planner Mercy Davison said the plan includes: issuing more tickets and fewer warning for noise ordinance violations; requiring onsite security to stay an additional hour each day; discussing on-street parking restrictions with nearby neighbors; and requiring the developer to plant evergreens near existing trees as an additional sound buffer.

“It’s really a remarkable effort between the three groups,” said planning commission Chairwoman Jeanne Moonen.

The commission had tabled the request by Tinervin and his business partner Marti Rave on Aug. 9 after hearing about the problems neighbors are having with the current 70 apartments on the site on Hovey Avenue just east of Cottage Avenue. The new buildings would be built on 2.6 acres just west of the existing complex.

“We’re all very hopeful it will help resolve the problems,” said neighbor Carol Torrens, 1015 Primrose Lane, who spoke on behalf of the neighborhood.

She also suggested parking problems might be better addressed by eliminating one building.

Merry Anne Schmied, 1214 Searle Drive, took the idea one step further.

“Why are you looking at increasing the density by 40 percent in an area where there already are problems? Our quality of life has been taken down by what’s there now,” she said.

Schmied said the developers were not honest about the complex when they presented the original plan in 2001.

“I asked if it was student housing,” she said. “They said no, they are not targeting students.”

But Schmied said advertisements for the rental units were in The Vidette, the Illinois State University newspaper.

“Consider the well-being of the people,” she said.

Moonen said the fact that the complex could be rented to students “certainly was in everyone’s mind” the first time around.

“That’s the reason we asked the developer to put in a fence and security,” she said.

Commission member Jill Hutchison suggested the plan to add more buildings be tabled a month to see if the suggested security measures are working.

City Manager Mark Peterson said a delay would cause a hardship on the developer.

Hutchison voted against rezoning the property to allow the addition and she voted against amending the original plan to include six more buildings.

The City Council will vote on the plan at its 7 p.m. Monday meeting.

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Reader comments on this story - 4 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

way to go Normal wrote on Aug 17, 2007 2:38 PM:

" My property value just took a dive. Thanks a lot, Town of Normal! I'm not worried about a "hardship" for the developer. I guess I didn't realize the students were paying property taxes now. Oh wait, they aren't! But yet the town would rather cater to the students than those of us that pay the town's wages. Disillusioned again. "

FYI wrote on Aug 16, 2007 1:06 PM:

" The area has virtually become part of the campus over the years, so noise is to be expected. Those with problems should consider moving to a current residential area, instead of expecting time to reverse itself. The bright side is that their property values are over inflated due to ISU/rental/developement opportunities...take advantage and move. "

Very Confused! wrote on Aug 16, 2007 8:05 AM:

" I am very confused. Why WOULD they vote to allow additional buildings to be built on property that is already acknowledging problems; especially when one is designated as assisted living (elderly)???? It is time that the planners of our cities realize that they CAN so no to a project! "

argh wrote on Aug 16, 2007 2:52 AM:

" THIS TOWN DOES NOT LISTEN TO IT'S RESIDENTS!!!! "
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