BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — A special use permit that would see a home at 707 East Empire Street continue to be used as a three-unit rental was denied in a 6-2 vote by Bloomington City Council members Monday night.
Ward 7 council member Mollie Ward questioned her fellow council members, asking them to oppose the denial.
“We have a housing crisis in this community. And the idea of putting one more family on the street flies in the face of reason and flies in the face of compassion,” she said.
Ward 4 council member John Danenberger responded by saying no one would be evicted as a result of the council decision, and he brought up an example of a rental property on 1 White Place.
“It’s never been more than half rented. There are units in there right now. You can all pull up your phones, pull up 1 White Place, and you can go rent one right now. They’re available because they’re not livable and that’s the same exact thing that’s going to happen with 707 Empire,” he said.
Ward was joined by Jenna Kearns in voting no on the ZBA’s recommendation. Ward 5 council member Mike Straza recused himself, and the other six council members voted in its favor.
The issue now goes back to the ZBA for further consideration.
Council endorses shelter village
Council members also unanimously agreed to give their “stamp of approval” on a potential sale by Connect Transit to Home Sweet Home Ministries for a shelter village idea.
It would be built on land at the intersection of Main Street and Oakland Avenue.
It would be called “The Bridge” and serve as a stopgap for people experiencing homelessness, offering 48 small homes for people.
Council member Sheila Montney questioned why Bloomington’s homeless population has seemingly doubled in the past year, and she doesn’t think there have been enough conversations regarding why the growth has happened.
The language in the ordinance was modified slightly to encourage the Normal Town Council to adopt a similar resolution.
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