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City Council: 9 rezoning approvals pave way for development plans

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Springfield City Council last night issued support of all nine rezoning bills and a conditional-use permit up for votes, including two ordinances scrutinized during public hearings two weeks ago.

Even two protest petitions couldn’t hinder council’s approvals. City Clerk Anita Cotter said both citizen petitions – against rezoning for a senior living development in the 3500-block of East Seminole Street and a permit for an automobile service garage at 2811 S. Campbell Ave. – were found to be insufficient. Valid protest petitions would require a super majority approval by council members.

Critics of a pair of rezoning bills related to development of a Culver’s restaurant at East Sunshine Street and South Fremont Avenue were put at ease, and they passed without the support of Councilman Craig Hosmer. His lone negative vote represented continued concern over city traffic studies showing vehicle activity would triple from the corner development, previously zoned residential. Estimates indicate 720 vehicles would travel through each day up from currently 240 vehicles.

“I hate to triple the load on this street and hope it’s going to work. I’m concerned,” Councilman Craig Fishel said before voting.

Developer representative Derek Lee of Lee Engineering & Associates LLC convinced council members the traffic estimates were high, mostly because one of the rezoned parcels would be used simply as a water detention basin – not for through traffic, according to plans filed with the city.

Applicant One Hundred Two Glenstone Inc. already owns the properties from Sunshine Street south along Fremont Avenue needed to develop the restaurant. Developer representatives say no construction start or timeline has been established.

Similarly, Greenway Studios North LLC overcame traffic hurdles when council members unanimously voted for a zoning change to a medium-density multifamily district from single-family residential.

The developer plans 74 microefficiency apartments – less than 400 square feet per unit, according to city standards – on a few acres east of Kansas Expressway between Interstate 44 and Kearney Street. The development site is approved for up to 29 units per acre, and Greenway Studios plans 27 units per acre, along with 80 parking spots, a swimming pool, basketball court and dog park.

Greenway Studios, led by Brent Brown, two years ago built an 84-unit, $4 million microefficiency complex that prompted the relocation of historic Timmons Temple in Midtown.

A proposal for another 72 microefficiency units nearby on North Sherman Avenue is on hold by Greenway Studios.

Other rezoning approvals were for 9 acres at the former Remington’s community center to a highway commercial district from general retail and 2 acres at National Avenue and Walnut Lawn Street for redevelopment of a Kum & Go gas station and convenience store.

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