By Howard Packowitz
NORMAL – Despite vocal opposition, the Normal Town Council moved ahead Tuesday night with a developer’s plans for a redesigned subdivision, including selling part of the property to the town government for a northeast side fire station.
The council voted 4-2 in favor of the plan for smaller homes in a portion of the 10-year old Blackstone Trails Subdivision.
Council members Kathleen Lorenz and Scott Preston voted no, and earlier pushed unsuccessfully for a two week delay so town staff could evaluate whether the government could buy other property at Hershey and Shepard Roads, which wouldn’t be so close to people’s homes.
Four subdivision residents, council candidate Stan Nord and mayoral hopeful Marc Tiritilli, voiced their opposition.
Troy Tevis, Debbie Schroder, and the other neighbors worry about declining property values and noise, even though staffers said they’ve found no such complaints from people who live near other fire stations in town.
“To me, smaller lots, smaller homes, smaller price brings down our property values,” said Tevis.
“I don’t care what anybody does, but just don’t get into my wallet,” Tevis added.
“The residents of Blackstone Trails will not go away,” said Schroder.
“Their voices will be heard today, tomorrow, and especially at the ballot box,” she said.
Council member R.C. McBride noted other subdivision residents favor the project, and Councilman Jeff Fritzen said it’s a priority to improve fire department response times east of Veterans Parkway.
“As elected officials, we do have to represent the community first, not individuals,” said Fritzen.
The council voted unanimously to change the zoning of nearly two acres for public use. Staffers and the council pledged to seek neighbors’ input when fire station design plans are drawn up in a couple of years.
The council has approved spending up to $450,000 to buy nearly two acres for a future fire station.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
