Mayor Chris Koos said he expects the Town of Normal will have new zoning rules in place by the end of the year to help address the housing shortage, though proposals are not likely to significantly expand the housing supply.
One proposal would allow for accessory dwelling units [ADUs] known as granny flats. Koos said he’s heard “a lot of chatter” about those kinds of housing units from potentially interested parties, but no active demand.
“We’ve looked at other communities that have had ADU ordinances in place and frankly there hasn’t been much activity,” Koos said in an interview on WGLT’s Sound Ideas.
When asked what would significantly address the community housing shortage, Koos replied, "If I had the answer to that, I wouldn't be the mayor of a small town in Illinois."
The town also is working on changes to offer more flexibility to modify housing that does not currently conform to code. The town currently has 342 housing units in its residential areas, mostly in its older neighborhoods. That includes 18 rooming houses that have an average of 6.25 tenants, according to a presentation town staff gave to the town council on Monday.
The proposals will go to the planning commission for a recommendation for the council to consider. Koos expects that to happen in December.
Tax levy
The town is seeking a 1% increase in its annual tax levy for next year. The tax rate would drop, but due to higher property values, many property owners will pay still pay more.
“We try to look at how we balance that in terms of what we ask for people to cover the cost of pensions,” said Koos, adding the state could help municipalities cover those costs more easily by extending its requirement for full funding by 2045.
He said the town is lobbying the state legislature to extend the mandate five more years, “which would definitely improve the scenario for the homeowners who are paying property taxes."
Koos said the town is on pace to have its pensions fully funded by 2040.
The council is expected to consider the $15.7 million levy for the town and public library in December.
Grocery tax vote
Voters in Bloomington have overwhelmingly supported a nonbinding referendum to repeal the city’s 1% grocery tax, the same tax the Town of Normal adopted after the state withdrew the tax but allowed local governments to add it.
Koos said he doesn't foresee the town eliminating the tax anytime soon.
“I always say to people who want to lower our taxes and I say, ‘No, you want to lower our services. Tell me what services that you think we should reduce or eliminate to lower the tax,” he said.
The tax generates over $2 million per year for the town.
City of Bloomington Township voters put the proposal on the ballot in Bloomington. The vote was only advisory.
Data centers
Koos said the advisory vote in Bloomington calling for a permanent moratorium on data centers further demonstrates where the community stands on the issue.
“I understand the concern that people have right now and it’s a valid concern and a concern that we have,” he said, referring to the potential environmental impacts and electricity costs.
The town extended its moratorium on data centers until May 2027 as it takes works to craft a policy and see if state legislators address the issue first.
“We don’t feel like we are in a position to make a decision on data centers until we fully understand what’s going on with them. Right now, the mood of this community is unquestionably ‘no’ on data centers,” Koos said.
