Council splits 7-2 on approval of land for retail, office development

The Bloomington City Council split uncharacteristically Wednesday night over the goals of urban development, voting 7-2 in favor of allowing office and retail buildings to be developed next to the east side Marsh grocery store. Councilmen Stephen Volan and Dave Rollo voted "no."\nThe vote amended the current planned unit development for the property, now a 4.7-acre plot of undeveloped land to the north and east of Marsh, 3516 W. Third St., which will be replaced by three one-story office and retail buildings and 126 parking spaces.\nThe council split during deliberations, with councilmen Andy Ruff, Volan and Rollo the most vocal about their vision for city development.\nAlthough Ruff opposed the new developments with his comments during the meeting, he did not vote "no," saying he appreciated the hard work of the petitioner and with the understanding his vote would not sway the ultimate outcome.\nThe dissenting councilmen favor a plan called "new urbanism." The idea seeks to blunt suburban sprawl through specific urban planning reforms: mixed land use, historic preservation, environmentally friendly green buildings and an emphasis on walking as transportation. The three councilmen called the latest development decision "another strip mall" of harmful, unrestrained growth in Bloomington.\n"I was not elected to help generate more of this uninspired, typical, uglified sprawl," Ruff said. "This is not a benefit to the community."\nCouncilman Mike Diekhoff, representing the district in which the planned development falls, has supported the project since the preliminary proposal from Bryan Rental, the petitioner.\nDiekhoff made it clear that the residents of the Park Ridge neighborhood, situated next to the planned development, have worked with the petitioner and support the project.\nHe said they preferred one-story office and retail space and were in opposition to the original planned development of duplexes, citing noise and crime from the apartment complexes nearby.\n"They don't want more apartments," Diekhoff said. "That area is already inundated with apartments. That neighborhood probably has the worst traffic problems in the city."\nThe developer made changes from the original proposal in concert with the city's planning staff -- including the addition of a landscaped berm to separate the Park Ridge neighborhood from the development -- using light fixtures that direct light downward and designing the buildings to look residential.\nThe planning commission passed the proposal 9-0 after hearings July 10 and Aug. 14.\n"We approve these things; we have been approving these things," Ruff said. "If we deny this one, we'd have to deny them all, but I see it as a lose-lose situation." \nCouncilman Brad Wisler officially joined the council Wednesday, representing District 2 and replacing recently retired councilman Jason \nBanach.\n"I want to welcome Brad to the council. And if you listen to me, you'll be fine," councilman and fellow Republican David Sabbagh joked.\nWisler was mostly quiet his first night on the job, thanking his fellow council members for easing his transition into public office.\n"I'm looking forward to working with all of you," Wisler said, "Just bear with me while I learn the ropes"