City Beat: Council orders communication tower study

Tower moratorium

City Council in its Jan. 22 meeting unanimously agreed to a 90-day moratorium on building communication towers while the issue is studied by a consultant. Councilman Bob Vanaman was absent.

The bill, sponsored by Tom Carlson and Bob Chancellor, directs the city staff to study and prepare a report on the growing cellular telecommunications industry and the apparent need for supporting structures and towers. "There is not a competitive advantage" in having too many towers, Carlson said.

The study is needed "to prevent unnecessary proliferation" of tall structures "to keep the aesthetics as pleasant as possible," he said at the public hearing.

"This is a good area for cooperation," Carlson added. He also wants to avoid problems with excessive digging "and tearing up of the right-of-way" for installing the systems. "Let's do it right the first time."

Carlson asked if the trunked radio system being developed by City Utilities would be delayed by the moratorium, but City Manager Tom Finnie reassured him there would be no impact.

Airport Board adds members

Council also unanimously agreed to increase the Springfield-Branson Regional Airport Board from nine to 11 members. The special ordinance amends the Springfield City Charter to recognize the regional nature of the airport. Adding three members allows for appointment of those who live outside the city in either Greene, Stone or Taney counties, or any county adjacent to Greene County.

Property rights

Voters will decide in April whether to limit a citizen's legal rights to protest construction of sanitary sewers and the issuance of the tax bills to fund them. A general ordinance passed unanimously at the meeting would, if approved by voters, amend the city charter by giving the director of health the power to decide when sewers are necessary to protect the environment. A property owner's right to protest would be eliminated.

Cherry Street development

Another unanimous approval was given to developers who wish to build on the 108 acres generally located on East Cherry Street east of Eastgate Avenue. The Land Development Code was amended to change the zoning from A-1 and R-3 districts to single-family residential.

Fair Board lease extension

Under bills for public hearing, Dan Kinney, director of parks and recreation, spoke on behalf of a request by the Greene County Agricultural and Mechanical Society Fair Board to be granted a 25-year lease when its lease on the fairgrounds expires in seven years.

He said the board is working on its master plan and wants to make sure a long lease is in place. There was some discussion about the amount of the lease.

Kinney said it was a token amount and that he and the Park Board do not want the amount increased because the fair board cooperates to maintain the leased land.

It also provides value by sharing equipment with and making repairs to the Dickerson Park Zoo. The Fair Board has leased the land for about 70 years, Kinney said.

Annexation

A nearly 25-acre annexation in the U.S. Highway 65 corridor from the city limits all the way to Christian County was discussed. A special ordinance to map planned transportation improvements for the James River Freeway and Glenstone interchange area was tabled because of lack of proper notice to landowners who might be affected.

The annexation of 4.26 acres of Greene County public right-of-way and cemetery property in the area of the Partnership Industrial Center was discussed as a way to give the center control of a street in front of the center.

Public hearing was held on a bill for sidewalk allowances at the 114-unit apartment complex at Elfindale. The bill would eliminate the requirement for sidewalks on both sides and to reduce the buffer yard. Surveyor Rick Wilson recommended approval of the bill.

Additional parking for one-tenth of an acre of land on the east side of North National north of Tampa was the subject of another hearing to change zoning. The land is owned by Suter Family Limited LP.

Other issues

First reading bills included a general ordinance to establish regulations for use of phosphorus by persons within the city limits; a general ordinance for indemnification of city officers and employees; and a special ordinance to keep Ventura Avenue unconnected in Springer's Subdivision on the east side of South Oak Grove Avenue between Bennett and Verona.