City Beat: City Council hears downtown, airport bills

Seville Hotel seeks bonds

In its Jan. 8 meeting, City Council heard the first reading of a bill that would help redevelop the Seville Hotel as part of the Vision 20/20 master plan. Economic Development Coordinator Mary Lilly Smith, who spoke to council along with hotel developer Phil Burgess and Carl Yates, the city's bond counsel, said the plan specifically discusses downtown development as a priority.

If the ordinance were approved, the city would issue a total of $4.4 million in bonds to finance the project, amended from $5 million as originally stated in the bill.

According to Burgess, developer of the Grand Seville Project, the result of the hotel's renovation plans would best be described as a small Ritz-Carlton. All 32 rooms would be suites ranging from $140 to $175 a night, and the hotel would include banquet and restaurant facilities.

Smith said the bill, supported by the city's Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority, also includes renovation to the first floor of the adjacent Ozark Camera Building.

The bond interest rate will be determined at the next council meeting, when a vote may be taken.

Madison Towers lot approved

An amended bill, which was voted on and approved, will rezone about 2 1/3 acres at the northeast corner of Madison Street and Market Avenue from a single-family residential district to a low-density multifamily residential district. The rezoning will allow for a new parking lot at Madison Towers.

The bill and council's amendment, which allows two-way traffic on three drives onto Market Avenue, passed with a vote of 5-1-1. Councilman Bob Vannaman voted against and Councilwoman Shelia Wright abstained. Absent from the meeting were Tom Carlson and Russell Rhodes.

Airport Board, Jordan Valley

Another first-reading bill would increase the number of members on the Springfield-Branson Regional Airport Board from nine to 11. This amendment is recommended by the airport board, the Planning and Zoning Commission and city staff.

A third first-reading bill would authorize the city manager to enter into an agreement with Wholesale Lumber and Materials Co., also known as Meek's, for greenway and open space in Jordan Valley Park.

In the agreement, the city would purchase the land in the 300 block of north Jefferson and immediately sell the portion of property occupied by Meek's to United Way of the Ozarks. The remaining land, about 65,000 square feet, will be used as greenspace for Jordan Valley Park

The Planning and Zoning Commission and city staff state that the agreement will benefit all parties and recommends the bill.

Another first-reading bill would authorize City Manager Tom Finnie to enter into an agreement with Richard Thomas Gregg and Jenny Gregg for the design, construction and dedication to the city of a sanitary sewer line at the southeast corner of Sunshine Street and Scenic Avenue, and authorizing a connection fee if adjacent property develops and utilizes the sewer.

A first-reading bill that would increase the number of hours that certain trucks, tractors or trailers are prohibited from parking on streets was tabled. Councilman Bob Chancellor motioned to table the bill after questioning the meaning of "certain trucks." The definition will be added before the Jan. 22 council meeting.

The only second-reading bill passed and will rezone about 2 1/3 acres on the east side of West Bypass between College and Mount Vernon streets from a medium-density multifamily residential district to an office district.

All consent agenda bills were approved unanimously in one action. Included was an amendment to the city code establishing a $100 minimum fine for running red lights.