Urbana city council members unanimously approved a special permit Monday to allow the 
construction of a 5 ½ -story building to be used for commercial and residential purposes on West Oregon Street and West Nevada Street.
Illinois Properties, LLC proposed the development, which would be at 1108 W. Nevada St. and 1105 and 1107 W. Oregon St., south of the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.
The building would consist of two levels of parking, one on the ground floor and the other below ground. Office space would also be located on the ground floor, and the remaining 4 ½ floors would consist of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, with an emphasis on one- and two-bedroom residences. The building would contain 59 apartments, housing 126 residents.
City council members approved a rezoning of the property to Campus Commerical District and a special-use permit to allow a mixed-use development.
The special-use permit would also allow the builders to reduce the amount of required parking by 34 percent, allowing for fewer parking spaces than would ordinarily be required by city zoning regulations. Fewer parking spaces are needed because the residences would primarily be occupied by students, and the number of students bringing cars to campus has decreased in recent years.
The building would adhere to the Illinois Energy Conservation Code, and green features are planned, such as a low-intensity green roof, collection of storm water for irrigation and motion sensor lighting.
City council members expressed concern over a couple of issues, including how close the building would be to the streets. The other main concern was whether the building’s modern design would fit in aesthetically with the surrounding university buildings.
Despite these concerns, however, the development would help to accomplish some of the city’s goals. The building would contribute to Urbana’s tax base, which is eroded when the university expands into the neighborhood, council member Brandon Bowersox said.
The building would also encourage students to use mass transit and walk rather than bring cars to campus.
Construction of the development could begin as early as August 2012, when current leases expire.