At the Uplands Residential Association meeting Thursday evening, residents voted to support establishing ten City Council districts to replace the current system of five district and five at-large representatives. Meeting attendees expressed several reasons smaller districts and the elimination of at-large representation would be better for the City. Smaller districts would:

• Be more manageable for council representatives. Instead of 23,000+ residents per district, there would be less than 12,000 residents per district.
• Provide more opportunity for minority representation. The current at-large/cumulative-voting system was established to increase minority representation, but has not accomplished that goal. Keeping the current system could end up reducing minority representation due to district expansion.
• Provide more representation for the older neighborhoods. Under the current at-large system, a disproportionate number of council members have come from North Peoria.

The Uplands also voted to support eight districts with two at-large members if a ten-district solution is unachievable.

In other business, The Uplands expressed concern that the Pi Beta Phi Sorority (a.k.a. “Pi Phi House”), 1004 N. Institute Pl., which is for sale, is being listed as a multi-family residence for up to 29 people, or possible commercial location. In checking with the Planning and Growth Department of the City, the property is zoned R-4 (single-family residential), with a grandfathered sorority use. Thus, the property can only be used for a sorority or a single-family home. Any other use would require rezoning. It was decided to send a letter to the realtor explaining these facts so it can be listed accurately.