B-Line Station Breaks Ground

      Ground has been broken on the development project at the corner of Morton and Dodds. Developer and McDoel Resident Matt Press has received permission from the City of Bloomington to name the project B-Line Station. Site work will continue until late fall, with the first buildings beginning construction in Late September. The first home should break ground in late September and be completed by March of 2013. The commercial area at the north end of the project should be completed by June of 2013. The townhome building (now called Garden Green Townhomes) should break ground in early 2013 and be completed by that fall.

B-Line Station is a go!!

GOOD NEWS!! On June 20 the Bloomington City Council approved Neighborhood Solutions' proposal for the new B-Line Station which will be located on Morton Street between Dodds Street and Allen Street. According to the website the development will encompass 12 single family home sites, two 1000-1100 sq. ft. condos, three 510-525 sq. ft. micro-condos and four 2 bedroom apartments above 3100 sq. ft of commercial spaces, which may include a restaurant. McDoel Gardens resident Matt Press is a part of Neighborhood Solutions and was responsible for the hugely popular South Dunn Street addition in the Bryan Park neighborhood. For more detailed information about the project please visit the Neighborhood Solutions website here.  

Stuff is getting done!!

That's right, West Allen street still floods. Hopefully the work they are doing now will put that to an end. (Photos courtesy of Holly and David Thrasher)

Summary of Plan Commission with Comments from Jack Baker

     Brian White is proposing a 19 lot subdivision on the lot at Morton and Dodds. The first hearing with Bloomington City Plan Commission was on Monday Aug 31. A second hearing and most likely a vote accepting or denying the project will be held on October 5^th. 

     Plan Commissioners heard from Mr. White and his local engineer. He wants to build 19 homes using several traditional designs including Queen Anne and Craftsman and place them on narrow lots, with all homes a short distance from, and facing, the phase II B-line trail. The homes would range in cost from about $170000 to $300000 and approximately 40% would be eligible for an affordable housing program that reduces the cost to a home buyer depending upon their income and family size.  

     Commissioners questioned all aspects of the project including density (number of homes), house spacing, materials and design, driveways, tree preservation and new tree plantings, and the extent of passive solar and the ‘green’ details. The Public questioned density and spacing of the homes, timing of the project, and tree preservation. The Planning staff questioned some of Mr. White’s project details including roof pitch, porch depth and building set-backs.

     My reading of the public commentary at the PC meeting and consensus at our last neighborhood meeting is most of the neighborhood is in favor of the project, with a few persons still concerned about the number of homes proposed for the property size. My reading of the Plan Commission is that it is also favorable to the project although there is some concern about the quality and density of the homes.

     While I too would rather see fewer homes on larger lots I believe it is not an option in this project – the developer considers it uneconomic to reduce the number of homes. But, if we can be assured the homes will be built with high aesthetic and material qualities I think the worry about density and closeness will be offset. As usual the recipe for a successful project is in the details. The Plan Commission staff noted all of our criticism at the Aug 31 meeting and is working with the developer to improve the proposal. For example we have asked that vinyl siding not be allowed as a building material (poor quality, lack of color range and paint holding), metal roofs be of a specific type, and roof pitch must be steeper. We are working on a commitment that the styles built will be true to the originals. 

This is the first project along the B-line trail and we need it to be a good one.

--Jack

Planned Construction Goes to Second Commission Meeting

The Planning Commission reviewed the proposed housing project (along Dodds & the B-line) that could have impact on McDoel Gardens neighborhood at their meeting on August 31.  The developers had hoped to bypass the need for a second hearing in order to begin construction this season.  As many details were not agreed upon, and several neighbors voiced concerns, the Commission voted to go to a second hearing.

You can still catch the broadcast of the Aug. 31 meeting on CATS local channel 12.  Click here for this week's schedule.

New Construction Project Goes to Plan Commission August 31

At our neighborhood meeting on August 13, developer Brian White presented information about a planned construction project that he hopes will go in south of Dodds Street along the future B-Line trail. The project would consist of many narrow homes ranging in size from 25' wide by 25' - 75' long. There will be a 5' space between the homes. The fronts would face the future B-line trail, and driveway access would be from the rear, via the paved area along the existing storage units.

The developers plan to use many eco-friendly building techniques and products, although some will be optional. Aesthetically, the homes will have varying traditional styles, as to reflect the surrounding neighborhood character. Also, 40-50% of the homes will be subsidized, allowing a greater range in affordability.

The project goes to the City of Bloomington Plan Commission on August 31, 2009, at 5:30 in Common Council Chambers in City Hall. The project will next have to go to City Council, likely in October. Attend and make your voice heard.