By: Diane Benjamin
In case you forgot, this development was opposed by area property owners because they feared it would devalue their property: https://blnnews.com/2022/07/31/north-normal-normal-and-barickman-want-to-devalue-your-property/
Normal resident Doug Fansler was concerned when the Town gave preferential treatment to a developer. See this WGLT story: https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2024-10-08/normal-council-amends-annexation-agreement-for-carden-springs-townhouse-project
Carden Springs is being developed by Fairlawn Capital from Champaign. What the article doesn’t say is former State Senator Jason Barickman is part of their Executive Team: https://fairlawn.com/company/
Doug sent this email, I copied it because a picture would be too small to read:
From: Doug Fansler
Sent: Wednesday, October 9, 2024 9:51 AM
To: Mayor Chris Koos <ckoos@normal.org>
Cc: Chemberly Harris <ccummings@normal.org>; Kathleen Lorenz <klorenz@normal.org>; Karyn Smith <ksmith@normal.org>; Kevin McCarthy <kmccarthy@normal.org>
Subject: Normal council amends annexation agreement for Carden Springs townhouse project | WGLT
https://www.wglt.org/local-news
Picking winners with tax payer money in order to subsidize housing is a slippery slope. You realize all the current approved developers you did not pick are now losers. Legal action coming your way would not be a surprise.
Doing something is sometimes not the right thing to do when you exclude a set of others.
Doug Fansler
Note the email was sent to Chris Koos, Chemberly Cummings, Kathleen Lorenz, Karyn Smith, and Kevin McCarthy.
Karyn Smith finally responded 10 days later – again copied. I’m told Kathleen Lorenz also responded but I don’t have a copy her response and Doug couldn’t find it. None of the others did because in Normal Trustees don’t represent anyone so they don’t have to.
From: Karyn Smith <ksmith@normal.org>
Sent: Saturday, October 19, 2024 11:36:34 PM
To: Doug Fansler <ddmfansler@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Normal council amends annexation agreement for Carden Springs townhouse project | WGLT
Mr. Fansler:
Thank you for reaching out with your concerns about this recent Council action. During the discussion, it was pointed out that the Town has contacted other developers to determine what issues are limiting their ability to move forward with their housing projects. No blanket policy has been adopted by the Town to standardize ongoing support for private developers. The current housing shortage is making it difficult for employees to find homes within easy driving distance of their jobs.
I recognize that this decision is not consistent with your view of government actions. I am happy to make myself available to discuss this in person if you like. Please feel free to reach out to me to schedule a coffee for this discussion.
Karyn Smith
Doug responded:
From: Doug Fansler <ddmfansler@hotmail.com>
Sent: Monday, October 21, 2024 11:29 AM
To: Karyn Smith <ksmith@normal.org>
Subject: Re: Normal council amends annexation agreement for Carden Springs townhouse project | WGLT
My view of what government actions can be taken is driven by what the charter, ordinances or other past actions of the Town of Normal have enacted. Can you point me to anything making this action something the Town can do or has made legal for it to do?
Doug Fansler
Seems pretty easy to justify. Either government operates under existing laws or they don’t. If granting “special” circumstances was legal the Town should be able to point to the law.
Karyn got City Manager Pam Reece involved. Doug got this email from her:
From: Pamela Reece <preece@normal.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 24, 2024 8:31 PM
To: Karyn Smith <ksmith@normal.org>; Doug Fansler <ddmfansler@hotmail.com>
Subject: RE: Normal council amends annexation agreement for Carden Springs townhouse project | WGLT
Doug and Karyn,
I am not understanding the question here. Can either of you please be precise on what you are questioning? Clearly the action authorized by Council regarding the amended annexation agreement with Carden Springs is legal and has been executed. The Town has countless experiences of working with developers. I can respond to a specific question or concern once you clarify.
Thank you,
Pam
Since the Council passed it it’s legal? Obviously there is nothing in Town Code that allows them to pick winners and losers. Re-read the WGLT story. Even though all of the Trustees ended up voting for the modifications, at least a couple of them questioned it.
Why can’t Fairlawn Capital get funding? Nobody asked. In other words the private sector isn’t willing to risk their money. The Town of Normal is willing to help their buddies without a plan to treat all developers the same. (Friends with benefits)
Normal is anything but normal. Has the underpass been started yet? What’s the total bill up to? $30 million?
sending an email always goes to the unelected city employee manager ! not our elected council members !
Showing up is a better option
Talk about picking winners ,look at Rivian and the tax dollars for them. How many small business owners in Normal cane say they got infrastructure but for them?
Huh? After several years, didn’t see any small business owners offering to buy the shuttered Mitsubishi property to prevent it from being torn down.