Multifamily housing plans met with public disapproval at Normal Town Council

NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) — On Monday, new housing in Normal caused a lengthy town council meeting.
Six items on the agenda were about new multifamily housing developments.
Three items on the agenda pertaining to the northwest corner of Towanda Avenue and Beech Street for the Carden Springs Planned Unit Development.
The audience was in an uproar about three items concerning a rezoning of property in the northeast corner of Beech Street and Shelbourne Drive or Collie Ridge Subdivision. Public comments lasting 45 minutes, with a majority, including a child, sharing their disapproval of developer Young America's new plans for multifamily developments near their single-family homes.
In the end, all six items were unanimously approved by city councilmembers. Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz was absent from the meeting.
'And that is what our job is, to hold the developer to lower standards, to make sure we get the right mix and the right project,' said Mayor Chris Koos. 'I believe this is the right project.'
Councilmembers also unanimously approved a resolution supporting Connect Transit's sale of 104 e. Oakland Avenue to Home Sweet Home Ministries for a non-congregate shelter project.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Yahoo

14-06-2025

• Yahoo

Nearly 180 new United States citizens naturalized in Peoria ceremony

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The United States gained around 180 new citizens on Friday through a ceremony across the street from the Federal courthouse at the downtown Peoria public library. In the auditorium situated in the lower level of the library, there sat around 90 people from Mexico, the Philippines, India and 30 other countries eagerly waiting to finally call themselves citizens. Marco Sanchez moved to the United States from Mexico in 1996, but the choice to become a citizen nearly 30 years later was simply a calling he felt. 'Your voice really counts,' Sanchez said. 'Especially for voting… It's time to help out, and maybe we can help with the future of the country.' Rosevita Muiruri moved to the U.S. in 2013 from Kenya, and to walk the stage after all of the hard work it took to get here, it's a proud moment for her. 'It was quite difficult. That's what I would say. But now and it's been a journey, quite a long journey, and now this is the end. This means I got it,' Muiruri said, waving a small American flag. Health care leaders featured at Eggs and Issues event In the back of the room, the families of those waiting to cross the stage sat, some with tears in their eyes. The mid-morning ceremony began with a loud hammering of the gavel from court clerk Shig Yasunaga. Yasunaga opened the ceremony by introducing the presiding Judge, the Honorable Ronald L. Hanna. A representative from the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration Services officer Samantha Brewer granted the motion to move forward and approve citizenship for everyone present. After this, everyone in the room stood up, placed their right hand over their heart and said the Pledge of Allegiance in unison. Judge Hanna introduced the guests to his right, took off his glasses and gazed upon the 90 soon-to-be citizens with honor. He gave a brief speech about what it means to be an American. He talked about the long, arduous process that a lot of these people endured to get to where they were. After his speech, Hannah had the representatives from each country stand until all 89 total people from 33 countries were standing, as one. With all 89 people standing side by side with American flags in hand, Judge Hanna asked them to raise their right hand, and repeat the oath of allegiance. Another ceremony was held in the afternoon, which brought the total of new citizens naturalized in Peoria today to nearly 180. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Yahoo

12-06-2025

• Yahoo

Habitat for Humanity builds homes at old McKinley Elementary site

PEORIA, Ill (WMBD) — There's still time for low-to-moderate income families to apply to live in houses that will be built on the site of the former McKinley Elementary School. The South Peoria school, long vacant, was torn down in 2023 and could soon be the location of three new homes, built by Habitat for Humanity Greater Peoria. And that's just the beginning. Within five years, there could several more homes on that lot. Habitat for Humanity received a Community Housing Development Organization grant totaling $445,000 and a $500,000 Community Project Funding grant 'We're excited for the families. We have a lot of applications and it's going to be tough to, you know, to make decisions on who's going to be our first homeowners. But we're just really encouraged that the amount of interest in our houses,' said Lea Anne Schmidgall, the group's executive director. To apply, go to the group's website. The rebirth of the site, located at 1201 W. Adrian G. Hinton Ave., could be a boon for South Peoria. McKinley shuttered years ago and has largely sat empty. Past plans to renovate it fell through and the buildings deteriorated to the point where they were deemed unsafe. Although, final details on construction are still being worked out. The homes are built by volunteers and take anywhere from 18 to 21 weeks to complete, she said. And for those who are worried, Schmidgall says Habitat goes out of its way to make home ownership a quality, hassle-free, affordable experience for families searching for a home. 'A Habitat for Humanity Home is brand new. Everything is warranted. We stand behind it. You know that you're getting a safe, affordable home that's top quality made,' she said. First district Peoria city councilperson Denise Jackson shared a text message to WMBD about what this development means for the south side. 'We are excited about home ownership returning to that area. It is just the beginning of the redevelopment process that we hope will bring decent, affordable housing into the South Side of Peoria,' Jackson said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Yahoo

11-06-2025

• Yahoo

Peoria company receives money through Made in America Grant program

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Gov. JB Pritzker announced on Wednesday that a local company will be receiving money through the Made in America Grant program. The money was given to 29 small and mid-sized manufacturers throughout the state for a combined $1.35 million in capital grant funding, according to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Locally, GEO. J. Rothan Company, a fine wood product manufacturer in Peoria, received funding in this round of grants. The program provides matching grants up to $50,000 to help manufacturers invest in strategic projects and fuel innovation. 'Illinois is a globally-recognized manufacturing hub and the Made in Illinois Program is designed to support the small and mid-size manufacturers that make up a crucial part of our economy,' Pritzker said. 'This grant program helps companies access resources to become more competitive, enhance economic development, attract capital, and bring jobs to communities across the state. I look forward to seeing how these manufacturers utilize the program to advance innovation in their field.' The program was started in 2024 and has so far provided more than $3 million in capital grants to 69 manufacturers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.