Bloomington to consider adding dozens of townhouses

BLOOMINGTON (25News Now) – The Bloomington Planning Commission will consider two motions Wednesday that, if approved, could help turn a vacant 6.5-acre lot into 58 townhomes.

The townhouses would be built in southwest Bloomington, north of Fox Creek Road.

Aruthra LLC owner Rajkumar Thirupparkadal submitted the proposal and is seeking an annexation agreement and zoning map amendment. He said the plan is to create each townhouse with three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms and a two-car garage, with a total area of about 1,000 square feet.

“I want to help the city deal with the current housing crisis. We want to provide nice accommodations for people who are downsizing without degrading the facilities,” said Thirupparkadal.

The existing zoning district is owned by the county, but the amendment calls for urban zoning. Changing the zoning would allow more housing to be created on a given area.

The main advantage is access to public water and sewer systems already located on or adjacent to the property.

A neighboring property owner believes the zoning change does a disservice to neighbors already in the area.

“It’s the opposite of what zoning laws are supposed to do.” They are supposed to protect people, not be used to line the pockets of some entrepreneurs,” Mic Trader said.

Planning Commission Chairman Justin Boyd said there are other requirements associated with moving to urban zoning, such as height and distance restrictions from the main road.

The annexation agreement would allow developed land to join the rest of the city, but has its own conditions related to land use, municipal services and development standards.

Under the proposal, there will be an entrance that will also serve as an exit for the proposed townhouse complex. With that proposal, another new development across the street and several neighborhoods along Fox Creek Road, one neighbor is concerned about traffic.

“It will be a very small area for at least 58 cars going in and out, (and) most people have two cars, so probably more than 100 people trying to get in and out of one trip is just a lot,” Amanda said. Hunting.

The proposed property has been empty since 2011. City documents suggest physical constraints such as a creek on the east side of the property and several slopes contributed to the long-term vacancy.

As Bloomington-Normal faces a housing shortage, Boyd said the commission needs to consider a long-term approach.

“(We can’t) just approve housing for housing’s sake,” Boyd said.

The commission is holding a public hearing Wednesday at 4 p.m. before sending its recommendation to the City Council.

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