The Ivy Chase Subdivision property is outlined in red. The plan includes 37 lots, but only 33 will be available for purchase. The plan commission approved a preliminary and final plat for a 43-lot subdivision on the same property in 2006, but the developers never installed infrastructure.
(City of Bloomington/Bledsoe Riggert Cooper James)
Bloomington’s plan commission considered three housing developments Monday. Two of them will provide 103 apartments and 33 lots within a half mile of each other on the south side of town.
Ivy Chase Subdivision
The plan commission granted primary plat approval to for 15.5-acre Ivy Chase Subdivision with 33 single-family lots at 3111 S. Walnut Street Pike.
However, city planning staff proposed the developer build a stub road extending to the northern property line. Additionally, the subdivision included a cul-de-sac on the east end, which is prohibited in the Bloomington Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).
Commissioner Brad Wisler asked why city staff recommended a stub to the north but a cul-de-sac to the east.
“We feel that the property to the north is more likely to develop in a way that could facilitate a connection than the property to the east,” said Bloomington development services manager Jackie Scanlan.
She said the properties to the east are single-family lots in the Sherwood Oaks neighborhood, and it is unlikely a developer would acquire enough land to replat for a road.
Wisler said he does not support the cul-de-sac just because the neighboring properties didn’t create connectivity opportunities. Instead, he said there should be another stub.
“Clearly to the east there’s more useful connections,” he said. “To the north, at best, you’re going to get through one lot and back over to Walnut Street Pike.”
However, city staff said the northern stub road is necessary to preserve connectivity should someone redevelop the neighbor property. The neighbor property owners disagree given their 4.5-acre lot already has a single-family house, garden, and wooded area.
“If we don’t put in these road connections and stubs now, then we’re going to be living with those mistakes when we look at that property to the north whatever period of time from now that develops,” Greulich said.
The commission voted 6-2 to approve the primary plat for the subdivision. Commissioners Wisler and Ron Smith voted against the petition. Commissioner Israel Herrera was absent.
The Water’s Edge Apartments
The commission unanimously granted major site plan approval for The Water’s Edge apartment complex in the 1.28-acre field next to BloomingPaws. In December, the commission approved a Little Star autism therapy center on the property, but those plans fell through.
Now, the property owner is looking to build 103 apartments spread across four buildings. In total, the complex will have 105 bedrooms. The plans also include a club house, pool, and a surface parking lot with 121 spaces.
The commission is considering the petition because major site plan approval is required for developments with more than 50 units.
Artist rendering of The Water's Edge Apartments at 3391 South Walnut Street. (Courtesy: City of Bloomington/Studio Three Design)
Lofton Apartments
The plan commission granted major site plan approval for the reuse of the old Sahara Mart at 2611 E. Third Street.
The two-story, 62,500 square foot building is being redeveloped into the Lofton Apartments, which includes 11,000 square feet of commercial space, 30 one-bedroom apartments, and 18 indoor parking spots. Additionally, the property features 40 surface parking spots.
The developer is planning to add a new brick façade and additional upstairs windows.
Artist rendering of The Lofton Apartments at 2611 E. Third Street. (Courtesy: City of Bloomington/Strauser Construction)
