Residents of Homewood continued to express concerns over the downtown transit-oriented development of 2024 Chestnut Road and 2066 Ridge Road at the March 10 meeting prior to the board’s vote to choose Holladay Properties as the developer for both.
After listening to the revisions to proposals made by the developers of Southland Development Authority, Far South Community Development Corporation and Holladay Properties, residents addressed the board.
Joe Willis, representative of the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council, followed up on his fellow representative Jonathan Kypuros’ comments from the previous meeting on the importance of hiring union workers for the project and paying them according to standards.
“I am also confident that both developers, other than Holladay Properties, would use contractors who pay area standard wages and benefits,” Willis said, adding, “the decision before you is not just about buildings and square footage, it’s about what kind of economic future Homewood wants to build.”
Liz Varmecky, Homewood resident with South Suburban Greenspace, addressed the board, bringing attention to the petition that residents have been signing to ask the village to hold a public hearing where they can ask developers about their plans.
“As residents, we’re passionate about this because this project affects where we live. It’s going to affect where we will live for the rest of our lives,” Varmecky said.
She also discussed the parking situation, and how Holladay Properties added 10 parking spaces to their revised proposal following previous resident comments.
“We’re going forward with this development without actually having any solidified potential other parking. And on the parking note, it looked like there were like nine additional spots added to one plan. That’s nine spots, so that’s not very forward-looking,” Varmecky said.
Eric Hampton also addressed the board on parking concerns.
“Parking downtown already is tight,” Hampton said, adding, “so if we increase density while losing parking, that pressure will simply spill into the surrounding streets.”
“I’m not opposed to growth, communities should grow. But growth should strengthen the people that already live here, not make it a little bit harder for them to remain here,” Hampton said.
Mark Thompson addressed the board last. Since green space had been one of the general points of concern regarding this project, he pointed out some of the green spaces already available in the village for people to gather. Contrary to other comments, he showed support for the development.
“The village will make the right decision,” Thompson said.
Ultimately, the board chose to move forward with Holladay Properties.
