City Beat: City flushes sewer deal with Eastwood residents

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A decision at the Sept. 23 council meeting came as a blow to some Eastwood Hills residents.|ret||ret||tab|

Council voted unanimously to repeal a 1996 ordinance that prohibited the city from installing city sewers in the Eastwood Hills subdivision, which operates on septic tanks. The 1996 law exempted Eastwood Hills residents from a ruling on the books that requires septic tanks in the city to be replaced with city sewer. |ret||ret||tab|

The only exception under the 1996 exemption was that sewer installation would be required if a majority of residents requested the change or if the development's septic tanks were failing.|ret||ret||tab|

Neither is occurring, according to Eastwood Hills residents who voiced their opinions at the Aug. 26 council meeting. About 25 residents attended the public hearing to oppose the repeal. Homeown-ers, who are wary of the approximate $5,800 installation costs, thought the past ordinance gave them assurance the city would not come back to the issue.|ret||ret||tab|

"You are not being honest with us," resident Rebecca Ziegenhorn told council.|ret||ret||tab|

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Sidewalk issues|ret||ret||tab|

A bill that Springfield had on the books for nearly 50 years but dropped two years ago is facing opposition in its comeback. |ret||ret||tab|

Council is considering a law that holds property owners responsible for cleaning and maintaining sidewalks that are in front of or adjacent to their property. Four members of the public spoke against it, citing an overbearing obligation on property owners and a lack of distinction if the property is rented.|ret||ret||tab|

City officials fear hazards like snow and ice may harm pedestrians using the walkways on both residential and commercial property. City Manager Tom Finnie said the city would not look for such violations, but needs the authority to penalize in the case of wrongdoing. The city should not be responsible for clearing sidewalks, he said.|ret||ret||tab|

Brent Haselhorst, representing the Springfield Apartment and Housing Association, told council the group opposes the law because it is unclear if tenants or landowners are ultimately responsible. But Haselhorst said he understands the issues the city is facing.|ret||ret||tab|

Mayor Tom Carlson asked the apartment and housing association to present city staff with some better options. A vote may be taken in two weeks.|ret||ret||tab|

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Commercial progress|ret||ret||tab|

A commercial development is proposed on about seven acres of land in the southeast corner of Campbell Avenue and Sunset Street. The property owner, Empire Mortgage Company Inc., is requesting rezoning from a general retail and single-family residential district to a planned development district for development of retail, limited business and office use.|ret||ret||tab|

However, neighbors to the south of the property fear the value of their homes may be negatively affected by the development, according to Gary Deaver who represented the neighbors. The neighbors are requesting a larger, more residential-style buffer area at the rear of the businesses. |ret||ret||tab|

To address those concerns, council approved Councilwoman Teri Hacker's motion to move the fence in 15 feet from the north of the property line. The rezoning will be voted on in two weeks. |ret||ret||tab|

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Bond financing|ret||ret||tab|

Council heard a first reading special ordinance to authorize bond sales for financing capital improvements to the city. The Public Building Corporation of the city of Springfield would issue the $8,805,000 of leasehold revenue bonds, said Finnie. The financing will pay the cost of issuing the bonds and create a reserve fund. A vote will be taken in two weeks.|ret||ret||tab|

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Blighted properties|ret||ret||tab|

Another special ordinance first reading bill would allow Finnie to solicit and accept a proposal for establishing a $600,000 line of credit with a private financial institution for the purpose of acquiring and rehabilitating blighted properties within the city. Finnie said the aim is to acquire vacant or boarded up buildings to clear the land and resell it for development purposes.|ret||ret||tab|

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Square canopy|ret||ret||tab|

Two business owners with stores on Park Central Square downtown would like to remove the canopy above their storefronts as the property is redeveloped. A bill before council would authorize a new Community Development Block Grant Project in the amount of $30,000 to remove the canopy from the southeast quadrant of the square.|ret||ret||tab|

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Ahead of growth|ret||ret||tab|

Council is considering a bill to hire Carrollo Engineers for professional design services to increase capacity at the Northwest Wastewater Treatment Plant. The bill also would apply a low-interest loan through the State Revolving Fund Program to cover the costs of design and construction for the $1.1 million improvements. The northwest treatment plant will reach capacity in five years, city staff said. |ret||ret||tab|

The Southwest Wastewater Treatment Plant can sustain the current rate of growth for the next 10 years.|ret||ret||tab|

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Expo Center|ret||ret||tab|

Council heard a special ordinance allowing the Springfield Center City Develop-ment Corporation to issue $19,460,000 in aggregate principal amount of leasehold revenue bonds for Jordan Valley Park's Exposition Center project. City officials held a groundbreaking for the project Sept. 20 with Gov. Bob Holden in attendance.|ret||ret||tab|

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