City Beat: City Council considers five rezoning requests

by Eric Olson

SBJ Reporter

eolson@sbj.net

At its Sept. 15 meeting, City Council considered five rezoning bills, the largest of which is a nearly $50 million residential development in southwest Springfield.

Countryland Property Management LLC is requesting a rezoning of 28.6 acres of land in the 2900 block of West Republic Road from a Greene County R-3, multifamily residential district to a city medium-density multifamily residential district. The property was recently annexed into Springfield.

Countryland Property Management will build a 600-unit apartment complex called Golden Pond, if council approves the rezoning.

Council originally heard about the plans at a July 14 meeting, but sent the plan back to Planning and Zoning Commission for further review due to the developer's lack of communication with nearby residents.

Residents attending the meeting appeared more comfortable with the development.

"These developers have bent over backwards to meet with us," said Larry Hogue, who opposed the plans at the previous council meeting. "They are building a first-class development."

Others still aren't convinced by the plans. Shonna Smith is concerned with the through traffic the development may create on Maplewood, a dead-end street that would become a through street under the developer's plan. She lives at 2860 W. Maplewood. Smith said numerous children on the block walk to and from Jeffries Elementary School daily; there are no sidewalks on Maplewood.

"We've had two children killed in school zones ... in the last five months," she said. "We don't want the third one on our street."

Developer Sean Coatney said Greene County officials have agreed to build sidewalks on Maplewood.

Coatney would be responsible for constructing an east-west arterial through the development that connects with Golden Avenue to the west.

Retirement complex

Another rezoning request would allow for construction of a 102-unit senior living complex in the 1200 block of South Ingram Mill Road and the 3300 block of East Catalpa Street. The developer is requesting a rezoning of 5.5 acres there from a single-family residential district to a planned development district.

Eddie Tims of Keystone Architects, representing the developer, said plans are for single-story fourplex units and a three-story apartment building equipped with elevators.

Despite a change from the developer's original proposal of a 150-unit complex to the 102-unit retirement community, neighbors oppose the plan.

"They don't want anything developed there," Tims said, based on a meeting with about eight neighbors.

Wendell Royster is fighting it because he doesn't agree with changing an established neighborhood. "There are no apartments (in the neighborhood)," he said.

Paul Waller points to a Vision 20/20 statement that, according to him, states that in well-established neighborhoods, the burden of proof lies with the person requesting the change.

"I really don't feel like these developers have proof of a need for this here," Waller said.

City staff finds the area an appropriate location for multifamily housing, according to Andy Furedy, Springfield zoning administrator. The staff recommends approval.

Maple Park

A third rezoning bill would pave the way for Maple Park, a 246-unit apartment complex planned on 13.7 acres in the 3800 block of West Maple Street. The developer is requesting a change from a general manufacturing district to a planned development district.

King Coltrin of Great River Engineering represented the developer. "We think it creates a very nice setting for what we believe is very needed housing on the northwest side of town," he said.

About Faces Photography

Bart and Wendelin Huscher, owners of About Faces Photography, are requesting their 5.19 acres at 3417 S. Lone Pine Ave. be rezoned from a single-family residential district to a planned development district. The Huschers have plans to build a new photography studio and offices.

Architect Geoffrey Butler of Butler Rosenbury & Partners represented the Huschers and told council the construction would be of residential style.

Councilman John Wylie spoke favorably of the planned development.

"Galloway Village is an up-and-coming place," he said. "We've got a good example of mixed uses for this area."

But an adjoining property owner thinks differently. Darcy Bannigan lives on three acres at 3503 S. Lone Pine Ave.

"I am opposed to this," she told council. "This would sandwich me between businesses. I've been on this property for 20 years, and I love my three acres."

McDaniel School

Recess Properties LLC is requesting a rezoning of 1.34 acres at 237 S. Florence Avenue, site of the former McDaniel School. Plans are for office use of the structure.

According to Matt Miller, a principal of Recess Properties, the building would be refit for a long-term lease with a community college.