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City Council prepares for another overflow crowd

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A pair of proposed zoning changes that together account for nearly 93 acres of undeveloped land south and west of the Library Center on South Campbell Avenue is expected to draw throngs of residential neighbors to the Sept. 22 Springfield City Council meeting.

This morning, city of Springfield public information staff issued a news release stating the Sept. 22 meeting could exceed building capacity at City Hall. A Sept. 8 public hearing on the city's nondiscrimination ordinance drew an overflow crowd and 45 speakers to council chambers.

The proposals seek to rezone 40.6 acres of single-family residential property east of the Quail Creek subdivision to an office district and 52.1 acres of single-family land south of the Library Center to a general retail district.    

A neighborhood meeting concerning the zoning changes held at the Library Center on Aug. 8 drew 102 nearby residents, according to SpringfieldMo.gov.

On Sept. 4, the city's Planning and Zoning Commission heard from 15 concerned neighbors before voting 6-1 in favor of rezoning – with one abstaining and one not in attendance – with the condition that there be no connectivity between the office district and the Quail Creek subdivision, according to planning and zoning records. Springfield Senior Planner Alana Owen and Planning and Development Director Ralph Rognstad could not be reached for comment by deadline.

Ward Branch Etal TR is listed as the applicant for the plans to develop retail and office space across the more than 90 acres. According to the Sept. 4 commission agenda, the applicant has increased the buffer yard on the west end of the office district to 50 yards to address neighbors' concerns. The agenda plans included extending Lakewood Street through the property and connecting with Buena Vista Street in the Quail Creek subdivision.

According to the city's release, overflow rooms will be set up and loud speakers will be operational outside the building.

Remarks during the public hearing will be limited to three minutes and doors will be closed until 5:30 p.m. – one hour before the start of the meeting – to ensure safety and provide fair access, the release said.

Those wishing to speak on behalf of the zoning issue can call the City Clerk’s office at (417) 864-1443. The sign-up period to speak will continue until the title of the bill is read at the meeting Monday evening. Brenda Toler, a clerical assistant in the Springfield City Clerk's office, said no one had signed up to speak at the public hearing on the zoning issues as of 12:15 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]

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