Commissioners Say Plans for Bloomingdale Big-Box Development Out of Their Hands

County commissioners say their hands are legally tied when it comes to the zoning of a proposed big-box development on Bloomingdale Avenue east of the Bloomingdale Regional Library.

However, County Commission Chairman Ken Hagan told Bloomingdale area residents attending the Wednesday, May 15 county commission meeting that the commission still has control over how developers spend funds for traffic improvements.

At Hagan's request, the commission voted unanimously to make sure the property owner, Redstone Properties LLC, uses the funds its required to contribute for transportation improvements in the same area where the development will be constructed.

"Constitutionally, the transportation funds don't have to be vested in the project area," said Hagan. "So we should make sure the developer's contribution is dedicated to the immediate area."

After the developer makes required traffic improvements, Hagan said the board should then look at deficiencies and consider funding further improvements from the county budget.

It wasn't the news the residents opposing the big-box development were hoping to hear from county commissioners.

• For video and additional meeting coverage, see Residents React to Commissioners' Bloomingdale Big Box Stance.

Residents say the zoning that permits Redstone Properties to develop a 158,800-square-foot big-box retail store, five commercial outparcels and 260 apartments on a 43.5-acre parcel should never have been approved.

In an all-out campaign to sway commissioners, the residents have staged protests along Bloomingdale Avenue, email-writing campaigns and launched a petition drive that has gathered 1,056 signatures.

"The majority of our community is against this development and is feeling betrayed," resident Moira Shiver told the commission. "We’ve asked to meet with each of you and, unfortunately, have received no response. We have 1,056 signatures on petition. How many more do we need to get you to come out and speak to us? We're praying you have the honor, integrity, strength and courage to do what is right."

It's not that commissioners don't want to speak to residents about the development, said Commissioner Victor Crist.

"Statutes restrict us from having contact with the public on land use issues," he said.

There's also little the commission can do to stop the development from going forward, he added.

In November 2003, the property was rezoned from an ASC1 designation permitting agricultural uses or one residence per acre to a Traditional Neighborhood District with commercial uses, said assistant county attorney Adam Gormley.

In 2011, the developer returned to the commission for approval of the development's design plans.

County Commissioner Sandy Murman recalled that meeting.

"They showed us these cute little pictures and said it was going to look a lot like the Winthrop development down the road," she said. "They never said anything about a big-box store. I feel like maybe we were duped as to the use of the property."

Now the commission is obligated to permit the development to go forward or face "legal ramifications," said County Attorney Chip Fletcher.

"This problem was created over 11 years ago," said Crist. "If we tried to deny it, it could put us into a financial legal situation that could be seen as irresponsible."

Noting that the developer must file a final plan for the development by August, Commissioner Al Higginbotham suggested residents appeal directly to Redstone Properties.

"Hopefully they’ll reach out to the community and do what’s right," he said.

RELATED COVERAGE:

• Residents Flock to Big-Box Meeting at Bloomingdale Church

• Neighbors Rally Against Bloomingdale Big-Box Development

• 'No Bloomingdale Big Box' Event Set for Rush-Hour Traffic (includes reader comments)

• Opposition Preps for Big-Box Development Protest

• Bloomingdale Residents Continue To Fight Big-Box Development(includes link to a petition that as of May 14 has garnered more than 1,050 signatures)
  

• Higginbotham Fields Big-Box Development Question (video and reader comments posted at Brandon Patch)

• Commissioner Answers Big-Box Development Question (video and comments posted at Bloomingdale-Riverview Patch)