Click here for a Google map view of Riverfront Park.
Click here for the development site plan.
The Peoria City Council meeting on April 14th began at 6 p.m., however, the agenda item on sale of the public open space at the riverfront did not begin until about 10 p.m. The vote to approve the River Trail Redevelopment Agreement on the taking of this public property was held about midnight with 8 council members in favor of the sale and 3 opposed. The sale of 5.8 acres of public open space to a private developer is moving forward but this issue is not over. You can help by writing a Letter to the Editor to keep up public concern in the paper. Your help is needed to send your concerns to the Peoria Planning and Zoning Commission, which will have to review a site zoning change for the project. Zoning approval is a necessary next step in the process of destroying what is currently the largest green space section of the Riverfront Park. Heart of Illinois Group Sierra Club opposes the sale of these 5.8 acres of public open space on principal and on fact. While certain groups in Peoria are looking at ways to improve the site plan for the apartment complex, we oppose this sale.
What You Can Do
Write a Letter to the Editor.
Keeping this issue in the paper will help show continued public concern. Anyone can write a few sentences or a couple of paragraphs (no more than 250 words). Email your letter to forum@pjstar.com or mail your comment to Forum, Peoria Journal Star, 1 News Plaza, Peoria, IL 61643. Be sure to supply your full name, address and a phone number above your letter. You only need to have your signature at the bottom as your name and city is what will show up in the paper.
Write to the Peoria Planning and Zoning Commission.
The Peoria Planning and Zoning Commission will review the site plan for the apartment project and must determine if the plan qualifies for a change to R-8 high density residential zoning. No filing for the project was received at the Zoning Office by the cut-off date for the June meeting. We anticipate this project will be on the July Zoning agenda, and that meeting is on Thursday, July 2nd at 1 p.m. at City Hall in the 4th floor council meeting room.
Zoning changes must meet specific criteria. Currently the City Zoning criteria are also being changed and it is not known yet whether the existing criteria or the new version will be in use for this review. Either way, HOI does not consider a residential apartment complex at this location to meet Zoning. This site is in an industrial corridor surrounded on two sides by industrial warehouses. There is a railroad line which is in use up to five times a day blocking street crossings for various lengths of time. The railroad is located between the proposed apartments and major streets. This rail line hauls chemicals and other substances which could potentially be of concern for fires or derailments. On the east side of the property is the Illinois River. This is not a safe location for a large residential development. Two chemical plants (PMP and Solazyme) are located to the south of the proposed apartments. A variety of gasses are emitted by these plants and at times the air smells like sulfur, ammonia, or other chemicals. Park uses of this property do not mean people are living in this location day after day. Typically park users are in the area to enjoy the riverfront, volleyball, or the trail for at most several hours at a time. Residential occupancy of this location is a very different situation than the current property use, which is recreational.
Under the existing city zoning criteria, findings must be made that, “Existing uses of property within the general area of the property in question; The zoning classification of property within the general area of the property in question; The suitability of the property in question to the uses permitted under the existing zoning classification; The health, safety and general welfare of the City in the general and immediate area of the property subject to the amendment in particular; The enjoyment of property by neighbors for its intended use,” are issues. Under the new zoning criteria, “The plight of the owner is due to unique circumstances; The variation, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the locality,” are issues.
We wish to politely point out to the Peoria Planning and Zoning Commission that this is not an appropriate location for approximately 300 people, which is one estimate of the potential for this housing. After the Zoning Commission decision, the issue goes back to the Peoria City Council which can overturn what Zoning has voted. Calls and letters to City Council members are still a good idea. At some point this issue will be back before the Council.
Addresses for Peoria Zoning Commissioners:
Mr. Michael Wiesehan, Chairman 2819 N. Kingston Dr., Peoria, IL 61604-2144
Ms. Michele Anderson 3215 W. Summerbend Court, Peoria, IL 61615
Mr. Winsley Durand, Jr. 2834 W. Knollwood Ct., Peoria, IL 61604
Mr. Eric Heard 6615 N. Talisman Terrace, Peoria, IL 61615
Mr. Mark Misselhorn 829 E. High Point Terrace, Peoria, IL 61614
Mr. Richard M. Unes 10912 N. Sleepy Hollow Rd., Peoria, IL 61615-1128
Mr. Nick Viera 1114 N. Institute Place, Peoria, IL 61605