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Village Hall Facade and Design Guidelines Cause Controversy
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Mary Bernhard
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Manhattan American
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August 28, 2008
The Manhattan Village Hall may see a bit of a makeover as Mayor Bill Borgo announced at the Tuesday, August 19, board meeting, he was informed by Senator A.J. Wilhelmi's office the village would be awarded a $25,000 grant for the improvement.
The facade on the one-story portion of the building will be replaced with synthetic stucco at an estimated cost of $17,000.
"The remainder of the dollars will be used for a new sidewalk on the south side of Arsenal Road to the bike path," Borgo said. The sidewalk would run from the BP Amoco Station at Rt. 52 and Manhattan Arsenal Road down to the Wauponsee Bike Trail.
Trustee James Doyle questioned during these economic times why the funds could not be used for the badly needed sidewalk and put "beautification" on hold.
"These days I would rather spend money on public safety then how a building looks," Doyle said.
Borgo said the funds had been earmarked in the grant for the village hall and what was left over was going to help with the sidewalks. Trustee Dave Beemsterboer asked when the project was going to start and was told as soon as possible.
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"Do we have the grant money yet?" Beemsterboer asked. "Because if we don't, you cannot count on the state government to send the check anytime soon."
Although Borgo assured Beemsterboer Senator Wilhelmi said the funds were available, Beemsterboer was not convinced.
"I just prefer we do not start any of the work until we have that check in the bank," Beemsterboer said. Borgo agreed to put the project on hold until the funds arrived.
A hot debate began regarding the village's residential building standards when Doyle asked why Hearthside Builders was given no consideration when they approached Borgo and village staff about building the same type of duplexes they currently have in their Manor Lake development in Leighlinbridge Subdivision.
Originally, Unit 6 of Leighlinbridge was to be Zausa town homes. Hearthside builders took over the project last year, upgrading the units to duplexes, but have since sought for plat changes allowing the development to be completed in phases to lessen the cost.
"Hearthside approached me and asked why they could not build the same units they have in Unit 3 of Manor Lake as Unit 6 is a continuation of that development," Doyle asked. "They build quality homes and I think in these economic times we should consider it."
"We have worked with them in many areas," Borgo responded. "Our current standards and codes require brick."
Although this was the first he had heard of the issue Trustee Mike Naughton did not agree with Borgo's assessment of the situation.
"We need to look at the track record and history of the builder," Naughton said. "I believe we should bring this before the board."
Doyle cited that other developers in Manhattan had been given considerations while Hearthside was refused.
"We have been giving them breaks by letting them break up their project in phases," Borgo said.
Trustee Tom Biscan interjected he believed if Hearthside was allowed to lower their standards, the village would be back to substandard housing.
"It's a slippery slope," Biscan said.
Doyle objected, "The people who live in the Hearthside homes don't think they are substandard."
Trustee Jeff Wolfe, obviously angry said, "Frankly, I am appalled that they approached you about this."
"Anyone can approach any trustee they are comfortable with," Doyle said. "All I am asking is they be allowed to make a presentation before the board."
Borgo looking to end the public debate told Doyle Hearthside can contact each board member individually and then after Borgo gave his side to each board member; it would be decided if the issue would move forward at a board meeting.
After the meeting when asked for an example of other developments who received special consideration, Doyle said Sisk development which is currently building Tremor and Groebe Farm.
"When Sisk revised their plan for their Smith Road Development they should have been held to the current brick standards," Doyle said. "Mayor Borgo chose to offer them special consideration and announced that Sisk was "upgrading" their standards from the original 2004 development agreement."
Borgo's response to this was that Sisk Developers were not required to meet the standards but had in actuality "increased the amount of brick on his homes required in his annexation agreement".
"According to the development agreement with Sisk in 2004, it states that after passing the new design guidelines, they would be required to follow the new standards after six months," Doyle said. "Considerations to waive the design guideline for a developer should be brought before the board rather then the Mayor and the staff making the decisions."
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