Friends of MacArthur FUNDRAISER
& NETWORKING
Thursday, October 27
5:30 to 8:30pm
The Boulevard
Town & Country
Shopping Center ------------- Monthly Meeting Thursday, Oct 13 7:30 am Red Cross Building 1045 Outer Park Drive |
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News & information about
the MacArthur Area
MBBA President, Debbie Cimarossa
was the coffee and donut sponsor for September.
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Esquire Parking Lot Rezoning
Planning & Zoning Commission Hearing Wed, Oct 21 6pm City Council Chambers
Planning and Zoning staff have recommended denial of the petition as "spot zoning". Download their report here...
See recap of Sept 8 Guest Speaker Robert "Doctor Bob" Wilbern of Roberts Automotive below...
MBBA Position on Rezoning Request
Read the MBBA letter to the Springfield Planning and Zoning Commission opposing the rezoning petition...
The MBBA is opposed to this zoning request for the following reasons:
- The proposed zoning change is from S2 (community shopping and office district) to B1 (highway business service district.) From the City zoning regulations: "This district is designed to provide particularly for drive-in type of automotive and other services, entertainment and open amusement establishments, all of which tend to interfere with the pattern of prime retail development of convenient shopping. Since many of these establishments are designed to attract the motorist, they may involve lighting or signs, which make them incompatible with residential uses. Since these establishments have a wide service area and generate considerable automotive traffic, they are appropriate along major thoroughfares. "
- The proposed use is not in sync with the MacArthur Master Plan, which recommends the South Grand and MacArthur corner be used for pedestrian-friendly mixed-use retail and residential with greenspace. Indeed, the Master Plan recommends consolidation of automotive businesses in an area north of Stanford and East of MacArthur.
- With 59 zoning variances granted in the past 55 years, the lack of planning is painfully obvious to anyone who regularly travels MacArthur Boulevard.
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The MBBA will provide updates on its website, www.shoponmacarthur.com and via eNews, including information on meeting dates for the Planning & Zoning Commission and the City Council.
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Guest Speaker
Robert "Doctor Bob" Wilbern
of Roberts Automotive
Mr. Wilbern discussed his petition to the Springfield Planning and Zoning Commission for a change in zoning for the parking lot of the old Esquire Theater from S2 (community shopping and office district) to B1 (highway business service district.) He said his request has changed from a permanent zoning change to a conditional permitted use of the property for the sales and service of used automobiles to "soften the B-1 blow." A meeting participant said the restrictions and conditions for a use variance can be much more restrictive, similar to those required of the Mobile Super Pantry in exchange for a liquor license.
Roberts has been in business since 1993 at various locations in Springfield, and the business is outgrowing its space at 1900 W. Sixth Street. They sell 2-4 year old Mercedes Benz cars, finding cars nationwide. Business hours are Monday-Friday 7am to 6pm and Saturday 10am to 3pm.
A handout indicates there will be professional landscaping, a neighborhood-friendly parking lot with a professionally designed, decorative high quality iron "gated" parking lot complete with up-to-date lighting. No landscape / parking site plan was presented, and Mr. Wilbern indicated that the City landscape ordinance, which MBBA members have criticized as "weak", plus the desired number of car parking places will mandate the landscaping plan. A site plan will be presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission on September 21.
Roberts Automotive chose MacArthur because: patrons indicated they would like to not drive too far to drop off their cars; no B-1 zoned business was within their preferred price range; and the property already has paving, curb cuts and lighting, which Roberts intends to reuse if they are in working condition, further reducing the investment needed in the property. AMC wanted $1.4m for the entire property, but Roberts "worked on them for a couple of months" to only sell the 1.5 acres from the overflow parking lot. Mr. Wilbern said they are also considering an alternative location if the MacArthur location doesn't work out.
Design sketches showed an approximately 4,000 sq ft Morton building with part-brick, part-metal façade on the north and west, an all-metal façade on the east and west, a metal roof, and fabric awnings. The building will sit as close to the alley as possible with residences directly behind. Garage doors will be located on the north and south ends of the building to help reduce noise within the neighborhood. The Garage will contain 5 to 8 service bays. A showroom will be attached to the front of the building to the west, facing MacArthur. Cars for sale and an animated LED sign will be placed along MacArthur Boulevard.
Meeting attendees had many questions about the suitability of the zoning change given the recent adoption of the MacArthur Master Plan, which called for an automotive concentration near Stanford and Wabash, and past interest in developing the property within the current S-2 zoning.
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Government Update
Joe McMenamin, Alderman, Ward7
The MacArthur TIF initiative was passed by the Springfield City Council unanimously on the consent agenda with two parts: the City's statement of intent to form a TIF and the authorization of a contract with PGAV to do the initial research and setup for the TIF. Joe indicated they would be following an accelerated plan for TIF formation, including preparation, an eligibility study, Springfield City staff review, public hearings with all public taxing bodies and proximate property owners, and the Joint Review Board. The TIF could be finalized as early as February or March of 2012.
MacArthur Park Apartments is scheduled for re-inspection the week of September 12.
Cory Jobe, Alderman Ward 6
Cory spoke briefly, saying that the TIF is but one of many incentive tools and it's great that it's on a fast track.
Jenn Dillman, Sangamon County Board
Jenn was present but didn't speak to give more time to the Guest Speakers.
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MBBA Project Update
Friends of MacArthur FUNDRAISER & After Hours
SAVE THE DATE!
A fall business event is planned for the evening of October 27 at The Boulevard in Town & Country Shopping Center.
MBBA Committees
MBBA committees make things happen - we need your help:
- Business Retention, Membership & Marketing
- Aesthetics
- Events & Neighbors
Interested in serving on a committee and helping make MacArthur a better place to live, shop and work?
Please email info@shoponmacarthur.com, call Debbie at 217-753-3013 or sign up at a membership meeting.
Nominating Committee members are selected by the Board. Debbie is contacting people to nominate the next MBBA Board of Directors.
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Other Events of Interest
Music in the Park - Washington Park Sunday Sept 25 4 to 7pm Celtic Celebration with the Fake McCoys, Exorna, Elk Pipes & The Emerald Underground Music in the Park is a fun family oriented program. Once a month families are invited come watch FREE live musical performances. A concessionaire will be on site serving warm food and cold beverages. Participants are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket. _____________________________________
Sustainable Springfield, Inc. Hosts Two Presenters
to Discuss Successful Urban/Community Projects
Wednesday, September 21st, 6:30 pm
Sue Kemp with Decatur Is Growing Gardens (DIGG)
DIGG is a gardening effort to create learning and job training opportunities through growing vegetables and bringing neighborhoods together. Their mission is to enrich and to nourish the Decatur-Macon County community by helping those who are hungry and who want to work to grow their own food -- especially those who are socially, developmentally, or economically disadvantaged.
Frank Calaway of West Bloomington Revitalization project
As a revitalization task force, this group is committed to neighborhood revitalization efforts, which will serve as a model of change for other neighborhoods in the Bloomington-Normal area, and to empower our neighbors and fellow community members during this exciting process.
Location & Time
A brief history explaining the creation of these projects and the trials and successes experienced since implementation will be presented by on Wednesday, September 21st at 6:30 - 8:00pm at the Carnegie Room North of the Lincoln Library, Seventh and Capitol Streets. The meeting is free and open to the public.
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MBBA Membership 2011
Now - pay online!
Online Membership Payment link:
https://ssl.selectpayment.com/cpp/MBBACPP/login.aspx
(Requires use of Internet Explorer browser until fall of 2011.
Copy and paste the above link into your browser.)
The MBBA sends a big thank you to
Town and Country Bank
for providing their
Customer Payment Portal
for use by the MBBA.
The MBBA supports the welfare of MacArthur Boulevard area businesses and promotes, develops and preserves MacArthur Boulevard as a desirable place to work, shop and live.
It is very important that we have the support of area businesses, organizations and neighbors. Everyone in the area benefits from having a vibrant, healthy MacArthur Boulevard.
Please join or renew your membership now!
Membership Application...
Online Membership Payment link:
https://ssl.selectpayment.com/cpp/MBBACPP/login.aspx
(Requires use of Internet Explorer browser until fall of 2011.
Copy and paste the above link into your browser.)
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