NIMBY is an acronym for the phrase “not in my back yard,” which is a characterization of opposition by residents to proposed developments in their local area
Examples of developments likely to attract local objections on the grounds of NIMBY include: a sewage plant or adult video, liquor stores or cannabis dispensaries.
Another example: lower-end apartments, duplexes or even single family homes that are planned next to higher-end single family developments can attract objections.
Last year when the Winter Green III Subdivision development, later renamed Weldon Reserve, located next to Winter Green II, was in the process of being approved some residents objected to the development citing reasons like: traffic back ups and property values decreasing.
The Archer development planned on the northeast corner of Constitution Trail and Raab Road is facing objections similar to that of the Weldon Reserve development in north Normal.
Ann Sparks spoke against the development at both the Planning Commission meeting on July 6 and the Town Council meeting on August 7.
The development is literally behind her back yard. Sparks’ home is valued at over $300,000, according to Realtor.com, that’s below the average cost of a home in Normal.
“I say no,” Sparks said on July 6, “absolutely not! Not in my back yard!” “Private property owners always respect their own property and neighbors more than temporary renters do,” she told the Planning commission.
Sparks repeated her beliefs about owners and renters in front of the town council on Aug. 7. “Private property owners respect their own property and neighbors more than renters do,” said Spark, again.
“With increased density and and rentals comes increased crime,” said Sparks. “Period. I am not confused about that. I have had criminals from west of the trail walk through the field and ransack my vehicle along with homes. I have had a John Deere lawn tractor stolen out of my front yard. I don’t need any more.”
Another resident, Brian, also spoke against the development.
“We are angry,” said Brian. “We just want to live in peace. Keep the high density on the other side of constitution trail. We already have two beehives to deal with: the trailer park on the north and the housing project on the other side of the trail. Now they want to put in a third one right in our back yard.”
The trailer park he is referring to is Landing Estates. In 2021 three people were pronounced dead at the scene of the mass shooting.
“We will contemplate filing a class action lawsuit, said Brian. “I see a preliminary injunction coming. It should make you reassess the whole situation. We will get property owners behind us,” he said, “like all of the people on the other side of the property fence, east of Linden.”
“High density inevitably means low income,” said Brain. “All these people in surrounding neighborhoods own $300,000 homes.”
Town Council member Chemberly Harris had the following to say about this form of “NIMBY” and what needs to be done in the community regarding it after the meeting on Aug. 7.
Harris said it going to be hard to change people’s mindsets because they have been programmed… “we are talking about decades of reprogramming. And so that’s going to be hard.”
“Until we are willing to change our mindsets, which a lot of times in some places is harder than others, especially when we are comfortable with the way things have been, it makes it very difficult to change that mindset,” said Harris. “I can’t speak to people’s thought processes or their intentions, or their ill wills either. I just know that it can be offensive and very condescending and I just hope that we are mindful of humanity before we speak at times.”