A housing development has been approved by the Normal Planning Commission.
“To me when I look at this development I see a substantial effort by the developer to address all of the concerns that have been raised,” said Normal Planning Commission member Bob Broad.
How big and where is it going to be?
The 136 unit development located on the north side of Raab Road east of Constitution Trail and will have 34 two-bedroom apartments and 102 three-bedroom apartments.
The development will go upon about 9.6 acres of property.
The Normal Zoning ordinance requires 272 parking spaces. The developer will initially construct 246. If needed the remaining 26 will be constructed at a later date.
Special amenities will include; a clubhouse, a community garden with water available, a dog run with water available, a picnic patio, a bike tool station, a pond stocked with fish a pier and a trail around it.
Like most developments of this size additional traffic is a concern.
At the public hearing held yesterday, July 7, 20223, Normal Planning Commission member Jessica Woods asked why there was only one entrance.
“This site is fairly constrained. If you think about it’s close to a significant intersection at Linden Street so you don’t want the entrance any closer than it is now and it is close to the trail crossing where you also don’t want another driveway,” said Town Planner Mercy Davison. “So this was a design that was studied and found to be acceptable,” said Davison.
Director of Inspections Greg Troemel said there was a formal traffic study.
“The road improvements are not necessarily the purview of the planning commission but I am concerned the audience is going to want to know improvements are slated if this is approved. Raab Road improvements will occur,”said Troemel.
While it is not part of the original development plans the developer has agreed to widen Raab Road from two to three lanes as part of the development agreement. The road will have one lane in each direction plus a two-way-left-turn-lane in the center.
The Planning Commission recommendation will now be forwarded to the Normal Town Council for action at their July 17 meeting.
