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Decatur City Plan Commission <br /> January 3, 2002 <br /> Page Seven <br /> Mr. Brinkoetter stated that a five foot move would cause the loss of a beautiful oak tree. Shrubs <br /> will be planted to hide the foundation of the building. Mr. Brinkoetter stated that if he had to <br /> move the building he would move it but the interior garden is a must and would be what the <br /> residents would like. <br /> Mrs. Sands stated that the development is good for the community generally and the investment <br /> and additional jobs are needed. She stated that she is willing to vote for approval of the petition <br /> but hoped that the petitioner will have the opportunity to meet with the neighbors again before <br /> going to City Council. <br /> Mr. Evans asked if the petition is approved, would the work be done under a local contract. Mr. <br /> Brinkoetter stated that the builder would be a local one from Decatur. <br /> It was moved and seconded (Smith/Peck) to forward Cal. No. 02-01 to City Council with <br /> recommendation for approval of both the rezoning and the Planned Unit Development. Motion <br /> carried with abstention by Commissioner Smith. <br /> Cal. No. 02-02 Petition of A.J. KRIEGER, Assistant City Manager, to rezone that portion ' <br /> of the Near North Redevelopment Area generally located east of North ' <br /> Warren Street, south of East Grand Avenue, west of the Illinois Central I <br /> Railroad and north of East Wabash Avenue from R-5 Two Family <br /> Residence District, B-1 Neighborhood Shopping District, B-2 Commercial <br /> District, M-1 Light Industrial District and M-2 Heavy Industrial District <br /> to R-6 Multiple Dwelling District. <br />' Mr. Van Steenhuyse presented the recommendation of staff: <br />' The City began acquiring properties in the area commonly known as the Near North <br /> Neighborhood in the early 1990's. To date, all but 17 privately owned properties within the <br /> target area have been acquired. The City is in negotiation with the owners of the remaining <br /> properties and acquisition of the all of the target properties is expected in the near future. <br /> Immediately adjacent to the conservation area is the Longview Place Apartments, a public <br /> housing project owned by the Decatur Housing Authority (DHA). In 1999, the DHA received a <br /> grant for $34.9 million to demolish Longview and create new housing opportunities. Since <br /> Longview is adjacent to the Near North conservation area, it was decided that the HOPE VI grant <br /> would be used for the entire neighborhood, including Longview, to redevelop the entire area and <br /> create a new Near North. " <br /> In September the City hired Goody, Clancy and Associates (GCA)from Boston to head the <br /> master planning effort for the revitalized neighborhood. As of this date, GCA has held <br /> community workshops, charrettes and public meetings and have developed concepts based on <br /> this public input. As a result of these meetings, a concept �`Concept 5") has risen to the top and <br />