BLOOMINGTON - A plan to turn Stahly Truck City into an extended stay hotel met some resistance at the Bloomington City Council. During its meeting Monday, Ward 4 Alderman Judy Stearns questioned the traffic plan for the property at Veterans Parkway and Mercer Avenue. | Proposed survey of city employees to be delayed

The City Council approved the project by an 8-1 vote, with Stearns voting "no."

Stearns said she received a complaint from a resident on Marzel Drive who is concerned about excessive traffic on Mercer that the project would create.

Previously, project developer Todd Raufeisen said access to Mercer Avenue would be crucial for the project.

City Manager Tom Hamilton said the big problem at that intersection comes during roughly one-hour a day, during rush hour traffic when employees at State Farm Insurance Cos. are heading home.

City Engineer Doug Grovesteen said the long-term solution to the traffic problem would be the completion of Hamilton Road, which would provide motorists an alternative route.

He said he didn't see the need to to delay the project until the traffic issue is resolved.

Hotel, drug store in the mix

Raufeisen said he could not elaborate on the businesses that likely will be situated on the nearly 20 acres. However, he could say that a 110-room extended stay Marriott Hotel and a drug store would be part of the development.

Ground could be broken for the project as soon as October, developers say.

The project is spearheaded by Parkway Partners-One, a group of four investors that includes John Mann, president of Hospitality Specialists of Jacksonville, and James Mann, the firm's vice president.

Parkway Partners-One purchased the Stahly property for about $6.1 million.

In unrelated discussion, Ward 9 Alderman Jim Fruin suggested the City Council look at adopting an ethics policy specifically for the council.

Fruin said his interest in bringing the issue to the council comes from national discussions on ethics reforms. He added a number of city councils across the nation have developed the policies.

"It gives council members an understanding of our roles in the community and our interactions with one another," Fruin said.