City approves development

A Planned Unit Development application was approved for Fairview Haven Retirement Community during Wednesday’s regular meeting of the Fairbury City Council.

Fairview Haven is proposing an expansion to its campus with 13 new residential duplexes and a shared community center. These are independent living units for seniors with a life lease.

“We’d like to put the streets in sometime this year and possibly start building next spring,” explained administrator Dave Blunier.

The project is located on a recently-annexed parcel at the north end of Fourth street, just north of the existing recreational trail, adjacent to the existing Fairview Haven complex and bounded on the south by the Apostolic Christian Church and a single-family residential home. Farm fields surrounding the project on all other sides.  

The first phase of work includes construction of public and interior roadways, sanitary sewer and the water main. Construction on the individual units would then progress based on occupancy demands and construction schedule allowance. A centralized community center would be the final phase and will include the associated parking lot, drive entrances and surrounding sidewalks. Green spaces are envisioned around the center.

Also at Wednesday’s council meeting, downtown street improvements were discussed. Street Superintendent Lonnie Rhoads said Eppel has most of the Main Street project done. City Superintendent Brett Ashburn acknowledged the first phase of downtown improvements is complete and they will do a final inspection.

They will then look at the next phase of either redoing the street or curb and gutter work.

Alderman Jon Kinate asked when work will begin from IDOT on Route 24.

“They haven’t given a definite date,” replied Ashburn, noting that it should not be long before signs go up.

Alderman James Tipton said there are curves on Carter Drive that get cut by vehicles, especially when snow is on the ground.

“I don’t know what can be done about it,” Tipton noted.

“There’s no good cure for it, other than putting a curb there,” replied Rhoads.

Rhoads said this happens several places around town. Alderman Steve Endres suggested putting fiber grass poles in that location.

Prairie Central High School students Abbey Bachtold and Meghan Gentry appeared on behalf of the PCHS National Honor Society, seeking permission to hold a 5K on city streets on May 3. The request was granted.

“We put together a philanthropic project,” explained Gentry. “We are raising money for Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy.”

Mayor David Slagel suggested having someone out controlling traffic.

“We plan to use the sidewalks as much as possible,” said Bachtold.

The 5K run and walk will start at 9:30 a.m. from the Edelman building and head to North Park and back. Cost is $20 for adults and $10 for kids. For more information, e-mail rgetchius@prairiecentral.org.

In other business, the Fairbury City Council:

-Granted a request from the VFW to allow a food truck to park outside on Locust Street from 5 to 8 p.m. on April 12.

-Approved a street closure request for the Chamber of Commerce during the community sale on May 3.

-Approved the consent agenda which included the March 19 meeting minutes, voucher invoice register and overtime report.