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Urbana is Home
"It's very important to have affordable, quality housing that allows people to live a life of dignity. Housing is the foundation of a person's life," Urbana Mayor Diane Wolfe Marlin said. "When you have secure housing, you can focus on education, your family, your job, your health, and all this is important. You can focus on your life!" Go here.
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Cozy Conservation Helps Home Energy Usage
FOLLOWING THE FEBRUARY METER READ, RESIDENTS' ELECTRIC RATES WILL GO FROM 4.3 CENTS TO 12.21 CENTS PER KILOWATT HOUR.
What can you and your family do?
Take control of your energy use. Winterize your home. Income-qualified assistance available:
The City of Urbana has various home rehabilitation grants available to income-qualified residents. These grants include:
- Emergency Repair Grants
- Accessibility Grants
- Senior Repair Grants
- Energy Efficiency Grants (in partnership with Ameren)
If you are interested in applying, please visit: https://portal.neighborlysoftware.com/URBANAIL/Participant to register your account and apply.
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Fall & Winter Preparation
- Have your furnace cleaned and inspected by a qualified technician.
- Clean your gutters after the leaves fall.
- Ensure downspouts are clearing the water away from the foundation.
- Have your chimney cleared and inspected by a professional.
- Ensure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working.
- Prune your trees.
- Ensure all windows/doors seal properly, recaulk as necessary.
- Disconnect outdoor hoses from the water source.
- Do you need a permit? Visit our website to check and see.
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The Cities of Champaign, Urbana and the Urbana HOME Consortium have over $5 million available to fund programs or projects to assist in providing affordable housing, homelessness prevention and related services consistent with the Urbana HOME Consortium’s 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and affordable housing and homeless goals enacted by both Cities. Agencies that are interested in applying for these funds may do so through the Housing and Homeless Innovations Consolidated Application process.
Go here for the application.
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Old Buildings Can Be Useful Again Thanks to Urbana Planning
Former fraternities, sororities, dorming houses and other student housing that are within residential neighborhoods in Urbana have a chance to be useful again! Think: coffee houses, shoe repair shops, and the list goes on. Small businesses that help the structure stay viable and keep the neighborhood intact. The R-7, University Residential District is intended to provide areas in proximity to the University of Illinois for dormitories and rooming houses, which are occupied primarily by students, to ensure the longevity of the architectural character and use of these existing buildings, and to protect nearby low-density residential districts from incompatible developments. Go here for more about this revolutionary use of old buildings.
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Just Some of the R-7 Residential District Properties: Top row, from left to right: 710 West Ohio Street; 1106 South Lincoln Avenue; and 715 West Michigan Avenue. Second row, from left to right: 1002 South Lincoln Avenue; and 706 West Ohio Street.
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Large-Scale Solar Energy
The Urbana City Council approved an amendment to the City’s Zoning Ordinance on May 3, 2022, which permitted the construction of large-scale solar energy systems, also known as “solar farms,” and making it easier for property owners to install small-scale systems, called “solar arrays,” at their homes or businesses (Ordinance # 2022-05-018).
The amendment included new definitions for these uses and explained how staff would determine if a solar energy system was its own principal use or was an accessory use designed to power an existing use on the site.
Previously, the ordinance was often confusing or contradictory: it treated small-scale systems as a “mechanical system,” and required different things such as screening requirements and height restrictions for residential versus non-residential structures. Large-scale systems weren’t even a permitted use and were treated as “Electrical Substations,” which was not very accurate. The old regulations were overly restrictive and sometimes discouraged development of solar energy systems.
The updated ordinance now accurately reflects the nature of solar energy systems and their operation and will regulate them based on their construction and location. Large-scale solar farms are now permitted in many zoning districts as a special use: in all agricultural, industrial, and conservation/recreation/education, plus in higher-intensity residential districts, and in many business districts. It also established guidelines for small-scale solar arrays and allows them in all zoning districts. Go here to read more.
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Many THINK URBANA Homes Built During Pandemic
Why would someone build during a pandemic? THINK about saving 55% off property taxes over five years on new construction single family, duplex, and townhome homes and pay no sales taxes on construction materials. In the first year Think Urbana participants will receive a 100% discount on property taxes, 80% the second year, 60% the third year, 40% the fourth year, and 20% the fifth year on the increased value of their new home from participating taxing partners.
Single family home savings could look like this:
$19,750 on a $150,000 home
$34,000 on a $250,000 home
$55,500 on a $400,000 home
$105,750 on a $750,000 home
Go here to read more about THINK URBANA!
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PACA Heritage Awards 2022
The City of Urbana received a coveted PACA Heritage Award for 2022. This is an incredible story regarding the Cohen Building on Main Street in beautiful Downtown Urbana. Go here to read more. Pictured above: Joe Zalabak, PACA Presenter; Marcus Ricci, Urbana Planner; Alice Novak, HPC Chair; and Dan Maloney, owner of the Cohen Building.
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FREE Firewood? Where?
Nothing is free, you say? Well, read on...
The Landscape Recycling Center (LRC) is a not-for-profit municipal enterprise that accepts local organic yard waste and debris. Over 100,000 cubic yards of waste are diverted from landfills annually and recycled into high quality organic mulch and compost that can be purchased in bulk or by the gallon. Whether you want to grow greener grass or start an herb garden, or you are a professional with a landscaping business, the LRC is a community resource for YOU. Your patronage allows this uniquely sustainable facility to operate. Please visit our website site and get to know more about your local community gardening partner.
And yes, we give away free bulk firewood. Come and see us or go here for details.
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Where Do I Recycle It?
Do you want to recycle, donate items for reuse, or properly dispose of different types of items? Go here to see our comprehensive list. If an item is not listed, please contact the recycling coordinator at (217) 384-2302 or to get more information. We'll help you find a way to repurpose almost anything!
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Go here for complete details.
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Neighbors Helping Neighbors - Donate to the Angel Fund
The Cunningham Township facilitates Neighbors Helping Neighbors through channeling your charitable donation to support the unmet needs of local residents. 100% of all donated funds go directly to secure food, clothing, housing, power, transportation, or other tangible needs on behalf of residents.
Make your tax-deductible donation online to the general fund today here or mail a check to Cunningham Township 205 W. Green St., Urbana, IL 61801. Please put ANGEL FUND in the memo.
- Bucket Brigade Food Delivery
The Township delivers prepared meals, fresh produce, food pantry items, baby supplies, and toiletries for our low income or disabled Urbana residents (in partnership with Channing Murray Foundation and Red Herring Restaurant). Note: They now accept packaged food and new toiletries in the bin at the front of their office.
- Housewarming for Homeless Residents
They will provide furniture and housewares for homeless residents that they are helping to move into housing, often after months or years of homelessness. They offer store credit at Salt and Light and Habitat for Humanity ReStore which helps these great organizations while helping program participants!
- Utility Assistance
Cunningham Township will turn water and power back on for any resident experiencing a shut off. They also support residents who are behind on bills and are not eligible for other programs. This may involve a partial or full payment depending on the size of the bill. Thanks to the Unitarian Universalist church and faith-based partners, the Township has been able to expand this service to the whole county while funds last!
- Housing Support
The Township provides support to move program participants into housing or help them stay in housing - such as application fees, rental assistance, or paying off old utility bills. Go here to read more.
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Home is Important
If you know an Urbana School District family or student that is struggling with homelessness or housing insecurity, please contact an Urbana school social worker to be connected with assistance. Go here for more details.
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Be a Storm Drain Super-Hero
Keeping your storm drain clear of debris helps our stormwater system do its job effectively.
Also, stormwater can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants and flow into our storm sewer system or directly into our local ponds, creeks and water ways. Anything that enters the storm sewer system is discharged untreated into the water bodies we use for swimming, fishing, and drinking water.
Go here to see how you can be the solution to water pollution.
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