The Charleston City Council will decide the ongoing issue to build a 56-bedroom apartment complex on the northeast corner of Fourth Street and Polk Avenue during its regular meeting today.

The issue, which dates back to May, involves a variance request to build one- and two-bedroom apartments on the corner instead of three- and four-bedroom apartments, which current code permits.

At its Sept. 15 meeting, the council voted 3-2 to put the variance on file for public inspection. Mayor John Inyart and councilmember Larry Rennels voted against the motion, while councilmembers Jeff Lahr, Tim Newell and Jim Dunn approved it.

Before the motion was made, Inyart asked the developers, Chad and Hadley Phillips, if they preferred the council to put the request on file.

Inyart said in an interview that allowing the developers to speak before a motion was not unprecedented.

Granting the layover period means the council only needs three votes to approve the request as opposed to four votes.

“I can’t speak for council, but you saw the 3-2 vote for putting it on file,” Inyart said. “I think that is how it will end up.”

The variance request was sent to the zoning board twice, after the council decided the request needed further review. The city also filed a lawsuit against Chad and Hadley Phillips in hopes that the developers would demolish dilapidated rental houses that occupied the northeast corner.

The developers complied and cleaned the rubble after the lawsuit was continued by agreement pending property clean up.

Inyart and Rennels said during the Sept. 15 meeting they favored smaller development on the corner, citing the surrounding residential neighborhood as a reason.

“I certainly understand that this is a legal use of the property,” Inyart said in an interview. “I fully expect the developer to move forward.”

In a Sept. 21 Daily Eastern News article, Chad Phillips said he disagreed with the notion for smaller development.

He said he was cautiously optimistic about the pending vote on the request.

The council will also address a minor issue that resulted from an audit of the motor fuel tax fund. The motor fuel tax fund shares revenue from local gas sales between Charleston and Illinois.

Inyart said the audit revealed that the cost of eight road projects did not match the state’s numbers.

He said most of the projects have already been paid and will not result in additional charges, adding the paperwork needs to be modified.

“All we are doing here is making our numbers match the state’s numbers,” Inyart said.

Inyart will also decide the hours for trick or treating. He said the council will vote on it ceremonially, but the issue does not require a council vote.

The hours are expected to allow trick or treating from 5 to 8 p.m. during Halloween.

Stephen Di Benedetto can be reached at 581-7942 or sdibenedetto@eiu.edu.