A 5 to 4 vote from the Bloomington City Council favored a development of 68 residential units on Ekstam Drive near the Central Illinois Regional Airport. People living in Bloomington’s Ward 3, where the property is located, opposed the measure by contacting their alderman Mboka Mwilambwe.
Citizens are concerned about traffic problems that could come from the additional housing. A traffic study was performed in the area over the summer, but Mwilambwe said the people who live there are the experts.
The study was performed by the same company interested in developing the property. According to Tom Dabareiner, the Director of Community Development, that's a common practice. However, Mwilambwe said that's something that needs to be examined.
The concerns weren't addressed during public comment, but Mwilambwe said that's due to this week's holiday.
The public contacted aldermen by other means to address their concerns.
The council also approved a Facilities Master Plan, which looked at the conditions of 40 city-owned properties and buildings with recommendations for repairing them. They passed that proposal unanimously.