It was a year ago this month that the Heart of Peoria Commission voted 5-2 to disband, and the City Council obliged. Commissioners who voted in favor of disbanding were chairman Bill Washkuhn (who has since passed away, sadly), Henry Lawrence, Mark Misselhorn, Julie Waldschmidt, and Geoff Smith. Beth Akeson and I were the only dissenting votes.
The primary argument was this, from my December 1, 2008, post:
The theory goes that commissioners could have more of an impact if we weren’t a city commission. We could instead organize ourselves as a public advocacy group, similar to Peoria City Beautiful. This would free us from the restrictions of the City Council and the Open Meetings Act, allowing us to meet as often as we want and have a coordinated lobbying effort of council members.
So, I think it’s only fair on this anniversary of our commission’s demise to ask, where is this vaunted public advocacy group that the those favoring disbandment feigned interest in starting? Mark? Geoff? Henry? Julie? Funny, I haven’t heard a thing — not a peep — about this idea since our last meeting on December 5, 2008. We’re all free from the dreaded Open Meetings Act now. When’s the first meeting? What lobbying have you done in favor of the Heart of Peoria Plan this past year?
*chirp* *chirp* *chirp*
So much for having more impact.
CJ, You can start that group. Why wait for someone else. If it is important to you take charge!
As far as I am aware, only you and Beth Akeson have done any kind of advocacy for the Heart of Peoria Plan since last year. I was against the disbanding of the commission and I support its restoration and/or reformation. The Heart of Peoria Plan is a good one and there is a strong need for advocacy and education. Ideally, the former commissioners should be the drivers of a new public advocacy group, but others should also play a role. One thing is for sure- it is needed and can’t come back too soon!
Martin — I’ve been advocating for the Heart of Peoria Plan — a plan still agreed to “in principle” by the council, by the way — even in the absence of a group, and I will continue to do so. I haven’t started a group because I never was a proponent of an advocacy group like Peoria City Beautiful, preferring instead that we keep the Heart of Peoria Commission. I expected those who proposed such a group to take the lead in establishing it, just like they took the lead in disbanding the commission. That hasn’t happened.
Great post CJ.
Arnt the form district and the zoning changes implemented by the code department in place? Wasnt creating those zoning changes the main goal for the HOP commission? I honestly dont know if that is the case or not? I feel like we already have a large number of councils and groups doing the same thing in the west bluff do we need a HOP commission to overlap those also? If there was a desire to have these groups wouldnt people just band together and demand them instead of just letting them fall by the wayside?
CJ or someone in the group: call a meeting and begin. Lakeview Library offers free rooms. Decide what needs to be done. Develop a plan. Go for it. You don’t need the city’s permission or support, and probably can function better without it.
Or can it be that the group has given up on Peoria?
There is a need. The LDC and the form districts need advocacy. Many citizens and neighborhood groups don’t have much knowledge about them, though they supported the ideas of the HoP plan, the LDC and the form districts back when they were being rolled out. Heck, even several members of the zoning commission have demonstrated they don’t have much knowledge of the LDC. Some of our City leaders actively work to erode the work of the former HoP commission, even though there was widespread support for it among the people. While there are several groups whose missions intersect with the former HoP commission, there is a need to (re) educate the community on the HoP vision and to hold it up to residents, community groups and political leaders as we continue, and intensify, our collective efforts to positively grow our city.
The form districts, LDC, and HOP plan are all available online and any questions in regard to them can be answeared by a phone call to city planning or the code department. It just seems that we already have councils, commissions, neighborhood associations, grass root campaigns running amuck it just seems that the last thing we really need is another commission to sit and talk. In my short time living in Peoria I have witnessed little in the way of action from any of these groups and when, what I felt, a positive development project did attempt to move into Peoria it was welcomed with more concern for minor building code issues then the positives that could come from it. Peoria’s older neighborhoods wont need an LDC when no one is interested in developing them
It is easy to sit on the sidelines and criticize, Stephen. You might try getting involved. You might develop a deeper understanding of the issues and what people are trying to do to address them.
The issue is that main st and the neighborhoods around it are not attracting new home owners or businesses. In fact the currrent businesses in the neighborhood are thinking about or threatening to relocate. I dont sit on the sidelines in fact I have already invested thousands of dollars and countless hours of my life into the neighborhood you live in. What more would you suggest I do to get involved? Join a committee and rattle sabers? I like to see progress not just talk about it.
To all,
The LDC was and still is a ban-aid to Peoria’s zoning code. It is not a form-based code. The Land Development Code has four Form- Based Districts beyond that it is still a Euclidian Based document and it does not advance the principals of walk-ability.
The Heart of Peoria Commission was established with the best of intent yet sadly the majority of the initial members were primarily there to protect their own self interests. They were not committed to the basic premise of the Heart of Peoria Plan which was and is: walkable neighborhoods.
When the commission voted to disband in December 2008, Bill Washkuhn and I were the only original commissioners still seated. He died several days later. I believe Bill would have fought to keep the commission going had he been in better health. We simply did not have enough members who were willing to spend the time and energy to advance the intent of the plan. CJ Summers and I were the only dissenting votes.
Walkable neighborhoods within cities are time tested and they not only exist in the very best of cities- they define them. Peoria once had these grid patterned, walkable neighborhoods and we can bring them back; however, bringing them back will require educated policy makers to allow it to happen.
Gary Sandberg is the ONLY city council person who understands this and no matter what the other city council people say- their votes and actions prove they either do not understand or do not appreciate the value walkable neighborhoods provide.
When I was asked to be a member of the commission I expected questions to evaluate my knowledge about the plan and new urbanism. I had studied city planning for years and had a working knowledge of the Heart of Peoria Plan. However, when I took my seat at the first meeting I could tell the majority of the commissioners had never read the document and knowledge was not a priority. Most seemed to be there to protect their real estate investments or to advance personal agendas.
Many times people with power take positions not to better the community, but to guarantee their interests are taken care of first. In this case I was an anomaly. I had nothing to gain except to see that Peoria would become a higher quality city as measured by a balance in opportunity for all people.
Today, I can say this: the changes to the zoning code never would have happened had I not worked behind the scenes advocating for form-based zoning. Unfortunately, the changes that eventually took place (beyond the form districts), now known as the LDC, are as I mentioned earlier, simply a “band-aid”.
The LDC beyond the four form districts was never meant to be the end all. We need people to be better informed and we need politicians who appreciate their role in, and the value of, creating a city that provides balance and opportunity for all citizens. Peoria is not close to this goal and we need politicians with the capacity to make it happen.
“Many times people with power take positions not to better the community, but to guarantee their interests are taken care of first.”
Well said, Beth.
This quote for some reason reminded me when Thetford hugged David Joseph after (I think) the City approved the wonderful Midtown Plaza project. Not really related, but that’s what I thought of.
I find it interesting that the 3rd District has lost a business like Cookie Shack that fits in perfectly with the neighborhood it served. Unfortunately our Councilman is busy doing what he can to let a local business convert a garage to a smokehouse in a residential neighborhood 10 feet from where children play.
2 blocks from the school impact zone, in the neighborhood where the children live.
So, if you are on the East Bluff and you see a new business going in and you think it is going to be a nice little restaurant – it will also have industrial smokers in the garage.
If one person can open a smokehouse, what’s to stop others from opening a smokehouse? Think about it…would you like the lovely smell of hickory smoke emanting through your house 24/7?
Not very neighborhly, huh?
OH NO!! Not the Cookie Shack!!! I love that place!! 🙁
From Beth Akeson statement:
“Today, I can say this: the changes to the zoning code never would have happened had I not worked behind the scenes advocating for form-based zoning.”
I can remember multiple citizens, city staff members, consultants, and politicians in favor of form-based zoning during the LDC implementation, so the statement above seems a little self-serving.
“so the statement above seems a little self-serving.”
hahahaha, snap. consider the source.
How true.
self serving – that’s an understatement
peoria.illinois. resident:
I do not have the same recolection as you- so please educate me…but first identify yourself because anoymous comments weaken your message
peoria.illinois. resident:
Stay anonymous. Your statements are not weak.
Communities that have successfully revitalized their urban core have had a vision for their community, leadership that worked to realize it and citizens who enthusiastically supported the renewal efforts. The Louisville, KY, Baltimore, MD and Grand Rapids, MI are all examples of how vision was successfully realized. A walk around the Lincoln Park area in Chicago will reveal a successful integration of business and residential. Even new development successfully blends into what has been there for generations. These communities, and many others, have seen the detrimental effects of development gone awry and have chosen a path that embraces real progress and livability. I believe Main Street could be a great residential and business center, but not without the needed vision the HoP plan provides. Lack of vision will continue to take us down the path of ugly strip malls and urban sprawl. We don’t need more misguided developments like Campustown and Mid-Town Plaza, which not only did not yield the results the developer promised, but displaced residents and destroyed neighborhoods. Yes, we need action, but the right action. Just doing something because it is perceived to be better than nothing is not the way to go. We need action that moves toward the vision for Main Street that the HoP plan provides. We have dedicated residents, a good mix of businesses, lots of potential and examples of success in other communities. It is time to educate our leaders (a lot of them, anyway) on the vision and strongly encourage them to get on board and get moving on it.
“The Louisville, KY, Baltimore, MD and Grand Rapids, MI are all examples of how vision was successfully realized. ”
Louisville also has a museum boondoggle – with construction stopped because of financing problems.
Another demand from Mrs. Akeson. That is par for the course.
Beth You LOST ! Accept it and move on!
Conrad you must be 68-69 now. You can not go back and as much as i dislike the Joseph properties, They did not cause the Main street problem . It was caused by a former mayors
parting shot to peoria when he went to Washington. they ‘ burned out the area from Jefferson to 7th street and west.
The residents there moved to top of the hill and a “flight” happened from Moss and North. Section 8 happened.Plain and simple facts. I grew up in that area ,Your family lived on corner of Columbia Terrace and Institute .{ Home still looks great!}
We walked at night with no fear or problems in that entire area. Not so now !! There appears to be no answer to the problem without tons of money and relocating the problem again ,to be faced latter with a recurance!
It is a tough and complex issue, Popijw. It is a given that nothing was done here without the consent of the majority of the City Council. The problems didn’t begin in a day and won’t be resolved with quick fixes either.
You may be mistaking me for my Dad. He passed away in 2004 and would have been 71 this year. I’m in the family home on Underhill and wil continue to actively work for the betterment of the neighborhood.