Classism – prejudice against or in favor of people belonging to a particular social class.
Classism recently appeared in our region in the form of the debate regarding completing the Wintergreen Subdivision in Normal.
Normal Councilmember Chemberly Harris broached the subject this way at that time telling Cities 92.9, “A lot of the comments on issues did border on NIMBY (Not in My Back Yard) which makes someone like me feel very uncomfortable and not feel like a neighbor in the community.”
“…when we get into things that sounds like, you know, everyone’s welcome except for you, or you people or those people, it does, you know, change the dynamics of what’s supposed to be a welcoming community,” Harris said.”
Most recently NIMBY popped up again, this time in Bloomington, regarding proposed multiple-family dwellings on the northwest corner of the intersection of Lutz Road and S. Morris Ave. An Ordinance approving the proposal was passed at Bloomington’s council meeting on Monday night.
Before the meeting Kelby Cumpston, who authors a Facebook page called BloNotes, in which he writes about the upcoming Bloomington City Council Agenda every two weeks, wrote the following about this proposal.
“NIMBYs will show up to complain about “traffic” and how badly they want to solve the housing crisis we have- just not in their area of Ward 2,”
And the NIMBYs did show up. And from what we learned they had previously been involved in a letter writing campaign with the city council.
Ashley Petit spoke during public comment. Her best point was focusing on the “substandard” nature of S. Morris Ave. S. Morris Ave. is not built to city standards. It has no curbs and inadequate shoulders. However most of her comments about traffic concerns missed their mark
Robert Kelley also spoke during public comment. He to spent his time talking about traffic. Again, with the exception of standards as they relate to Morris Ave., his comments also missed their mark.
City Engineer Craig Shonkwiler best explained the lack of congestion at Lutz Rd. and S. Morris Avenue when he spoke of visiting with the developer on the site and stated that they stood out there several minutes without any traffic going by.
S. Morris Avenue carries 1400 vehicles per day (vpd) and Lutz. Rd. carries 400 vpd which are typical volumes for local streets. Collector Streets typically carry more than 2000 vehicles per day. 1400 vpd typically equates to 140 vehicles during the peak hour. That is only about 2 vehicles per minute during the highest traffic hour of the day. It’s one vehicle every 25 seconds which is far short of anything that can be described as congested.
Wintergreen Residents Misrepresented, Did They Not Come To An Agreement?
City Councilmember Donna Boelyn, who represents Ward 2, responded to the concerns of neighborhood residents with well thought out previously prepared remarks. She started her comments by saying, “I have done extensive due diligence.”
Boelyn spoke out regarding private property rights when she said, “Private property owners have rights guaranteed to them by the U. S. Constitution.” And she also reminded those in attendance that, “The council is bound by laws to ensure uniformity of treatment.”
Boelyn pointed out that the entrances to the multi-family development will be on Lutz Road which was recently improved to city standards. And she advised those concerned S. Morris Ave. is unlikely to be rebuilt without funding from developers.
“For those of you who think I am failing to represent their best interest , please note, Morris Ave. is likely to remain as is without development of Wittenburg Woods Phase III.” Boelyn said.
Wintergreen Phase III (Weldon Reserve) on Normal Council Agenda
So if the traffic arguments weren’t really valid then what was all the opposition really about?
Some might say the Village at Prairie Vista Homeowners Association members simply didn’t like the idea of a multi-family housing development near them.
