2010-57 REZONING PROPERTY - GRAND OAKS ESTATES, LLC - 2225 SOUTH MT. ZION ROAD

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Excerpts from Plan Commission Minutes of June 3,2010 continued: There will not be a stop light at the road the developer is putting in to access Route 121 because it is too close to the stoplight at the road going into Wal-Mart. The frontage road that runs all the way from Maryland Street and cuts down Aldi Drive to Route 121 on any given day has several cars traveling it to avoid the stoplights. If this road is extended to the facility there are going to be traffic problems with vehicles trying to merge into traffic without a traffic signal. Everything in the area has to funnel through a stoplight to control the flow of traffic. There is no room for an acceleration or de- acceleration lane to put in for trucks bringing in supplies for the facility. There is no way for a tandem truck to make this turn. This is an invitation for disaster. Supplying this facility will impede the flow of traffic in the area. Mr. Casey stated that exhibit six (6) is an entry way to Mr. Casey's residence. It is now bordered by trees. The developer's plans are to take out all the trees. Two (2) foot shrubs and seven (7) foot pine trees will be put in their place. This will affect everyone's view and the ambiance of the area. Mr. Casey said exhibit four (4) is the copy of the drainage site plan. The water from the entire complex will be dumped into a pond and will drain out on his, Mrs. Sherman's and Mrs. Hines' properties. Mr. Casey showed pictures of the erosion that has happened from Wal-Mart's drainage. The developer is proposing to dump another nine (9) acres of drainage on the same properties. Mr. Casey feels he and the entire area are entitled to protection since they are the future annexations into the City. Mr. Casey stated exhibit five (5) is the landscaping plan which shows the developer is planning to put shrubs and seven (7) foot pine trees to border the properties to the south for a fifty (50) foot building. There is a forest line right now that could be left as a buffer but they cannot do that because they do not have enough space. You have an assisted living facility that will essentially have no front yard, no amenities for occupants who are still mobile and only about fifty (50) feet of yard for over one hundred (100) occupants before you get into the buffer zone. Mr. Casey said there are no sidewalks in the area for occupants who want to go to Wal-Mart and nothing to get them across Route 121. They are essentially just going to be housed. There are no amenities for them. This does not comply with the City's Ordinance. There is not to be a road or a dumpster on the buffer and they have not done this. This is in violation of the Ordinance. Wal-Mart has a berm, as does Ruby Tuesday's. This facility is not in compliance. Is this the appropriate place for this facility? Right across the road is commercial property that is for sale with more acres than they need. The alternatives are out there. Mr. Casey stated there is nothing unique about this facility. There are no special amenities. You have four(4)banks already in the area. Mr. Casey said he has trouble getting out of his driveway now. Some of the residents will still drive. A traffic control device is needed for their safety. Mr. Casey is asking the Commission to not approve the request for rezoning. He is asking for this to be tabled so the Commission has all the facts. Know what IDOT is going to say, how it is going to affect this. The developer needs to come back and comply with the buffer requirements at bare bones minimum. They should put a berm in but there is too little space for the project. Mr. Casey showed pictures he took of Eagle Ridge. The three (3) story project is surrounded by a forest so it does not affect their neighbor's property values. It is also surrounded by two (2) and three (3) story facilities that have not been dumped on residences. There are plenty of options for them.