URBANA – Champaign County Board members, in a wide-ranging discussion that lasted nearly an hour and a half, indicated opposition to the proposed Olympian Drive project.

But there was support for a more limited project that would connect the roadway from Apollo Drive on the west to Lincoln Avenue on the east.

Despite some talk before the meeting about taking a possible straw vote to determine a county board consensus on the current proposal, no action was taken at the meeting.

Urbana Democrat Steve Beckett said that no straw poll could be taken because the meeting's agenda did not indicate a vote would be taken.

Still, board members said they wanted to continue the discussion about the project at a future committee-of-the-whole meeting.

"What I want is more information," Urbana Democrat Tom Betz said. "I don't at all feel I am prepared this month or next for a straw vote."

Republican Ron Bensyl said that sentiment in his rural district is "overwhelmingly against this project."

St. Joseph area Republican Steve Moser said the entire crosstown Olympian Drive project could have been completed in 1997 but for opposition from Urbana.

"All of a sudden today, this is something we've got to have," Moser said.

Urbana Democrat Brendan McGinty said he wanted to see "the great majority of the people in the county" behind any Olympian Drive plan.

"I'm for the economic development if it can be done right," McGinty said.

Champaign Republican Alan Nudo endorsed looking into building the road to Lincoln Avenue. Acquiring land east of Lincoln to U.S. 45 would be "a nonstarter for me," he said.

Urbana Public Works Director Bill Gray was asked about rumors that the city would use the $5 million grant it has received for the project to buy up land along the Olympian corridor.

"There is no intent at this point in time," he responded.

Meanwhile, the board voted 17-8 to defer action on a proposed rental habitability ordinance to help govern disputes between landlords and tenants in unincorporated Champaign County. All of the votes against deferral came from Democrats.

Rantoul Republican Stan James suggested further work on the law "until we can work out an enforcement tool that is there. Otherwise it will just sit on a shelf and collect dust."

Champaign Republican Alan Nudo said the ordinance needs "more teeth" in addressing critical life safety issues, such as heating, plumbing and electrical service.

Board members said they plan to discuss the ordinance at next month's committee-of-the-whole meeting.

Only two of 27 board members were absent from Thursday's meeting – Democrats Lloyd Carter and Lorraine Cowart.

The board also voted to continue operating under a committee-of-the-whole structure through its November meeting. The board that will be seated in December will be free to continue the practice or choose a new one. Only Urbana Democrat Ralph Langenheim opposed the motion.