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URBANA — The Urbana City Council voted 4-1 Monday night to approve a 32-unit housing development on West Main Street.
Officials and residents have been weighing the proposal since May as the council had deferred the vote multiple times.
Residents against the proposal argued it was the wrong fit with the type of homes and architectural style in the neighborhood.
Others in favor of the development said it would help mitigate a regional housing shortage and improve access to safe and affordable housing.
Council member Verdell Jones III said Urbana needs to build new housing to keep up with surrounding municipalities — or the city will be left behind.
“This vote is not a vote against the people,” he said. “But for me, this vote is rather a vote for the future of Urbana. For the future generations so they can have somewhere to stay.”
The project would demolish two residential buildings and add 32 housing units along Boneyard Creek. Due to its proximity to the creek, it would also have to be built on stilts to prevent flooding issues.
Council member Maryalice Wu voted against the development, saying she hears residents who think it is the wrong fit for the area and does not align with the city’s comprehensive plan. She noted it does not fit with the plan’s land-use designation for an area with predominantly single-family homes.
“It’s not just me. It’s the staff report that’s saying this does not meet Neighborhood 1,” she said. “So I think to me, this is a very clear answer.”
Council member Shirese Hursey thought differently, voting for the development. She said she does not see the proposed development causing any harm to those already residing in the neighborhood.
“I have lived my whole life in an R2 neighborhood that had a bunch of multiple units,” Hursey said. “I was surrounded by it. It did not bother me. It did not hurt me.”
Hursey also addressed claims from some residents that the development would eliminate green space at the site.
“What some people call green space, in my neighborhood it’s called blight. And I would really prefer that that green space be used to house some people if at all possible,” she said.
Councilmembers James Quisenberry and Christopher Evans were absent at the meeting.
The council made two amendments prior the approval of the development: the developers are required to give current tenants a six month notice to vacate and maintain existing trees on site wherever possible.
The city did not share a timeline for when the proposed project is expected to be built.