City Beat: Public comments on Cherokee Street closure

Three major issues were up for first reading and public discussion at the Feb. 30 City Council meeting vacating East Cherokee Street, traffic light surveillance cameras and Jordan Valley Park developer contracts.

Speakers favor vacating Cherokee

Nine persons aired their views on the street issue, all but one them in support of closing Cherokee Street between Fremont and National Avenues to allow for expansion of St. John's Hospital.

Jay Eckersley, St. John's chief executive officer and president, said the move to make Cherokee part of the hospital campus would aid in the "renewal" of the hospital and the area. "Access is an issue" as the hospital changes to a more outpatient than inpatient facility. Drivers coming off highly traveled National and Fremont avenues would have an easier time locating their facility within the campus, he said.

The hospital will help pay to widen Seminole, help with stormwater issues and spend $100,000 to improve the Fremont-Sunshine intersection, Eckersley said. The lone opponent, Dennis Overall, said many Springfield visitors use Cherokee to access Bass Pro Shops from Glenstone.

Both the Planning and Zoning Commission and the city manager staff recommend approval of vacating the street.

Traffic cameras go to committee

After emotional discussion, council sent the issue of traffic surveillance cameras at dangerous intersections to Councilman Tom Carlson's governmental relations committee for refinement. The committee is to report back in 45 days.

Sponsored by Mayor Lee Gannaway and Councilman Bob Vanaman, the bill as written would amend the traffic chapter of the city code to allow the use of automatic traffic signal enforcement systems to detect and prosecute those who run red lights. The bill also calls for a special election to submit the issue to voters.

Carlson questioned why the bill didn't go to a committee first. He said the "poorly drafted" bill "creates as many issues as it answers." Vanaman said it is an issue that needs to be resolved before he leaves council, adding that the issue has been talked about for nearly two years without decision. Gannaway opposes cameras as an invasion of privacy.

Council has always been divided on the issue. Councilman Bob Chancellor pointed out that council didn't submit the issue of radar guns or Breathalyzers to a public vote. Carlson pointed out those items are part of state law, not city code. Traffic surveillance cameras are not part of the state traffic code yet, he said.

Baseball stadium contract

A first reading of an emergency bill concerned continued development of Jordan Valley Park. The new ordinance, if approved, would allow City Manager Tom Finnie to entered into a development agreement with John Q. and Juanita K. Hammons and their revocable living trust indenture.

The ordinance would allow the city to construct a parking deck and to help redevelop the University Trade Center. Finnie said the baseball stadium to be constructed by Hammons, although on property subject to tax increment funding, is not part of the city TIF district. He added that construction on the baseball stadium can begin at any time.

However, an occupancy permit won't be issued for the stadium until the contract is signed to construct the exposition shell. The shell will be built by the city as part of its obligation to build a new parking deck to service the baseball stadium and the expanded trade center. The current parking deck will be traded to the city by Hammons in lieu of past monies he owes the city for previous development, Finnie said.

The parking deck will be demolished and a new deck erected with a shell to expand the adjacent exposition area to 100,000 square feet. Hammons will complete the inside of the shell and renovate the first floor of the trade center. The bill asks for $200,000 to be added to the Jordan Valley budget for architect and engineer services.

Cul-de-sac use questioned

A first-reading proposal to place two cul-de-sacs in a multifamily-zoned area on Erie Street between Jefferson and Campbell was discussed. The bill was sent back to Planning and Zoning. Tri-Fret Subdivisions doesn't want to extend Erie street to Jefferson, said Kendall McPhail, attorney for Tri-Fret. Extension of Erie, although it would create an outlet away from busy Campbell, would send more traffic to Jefferson, which is supposed to be a traffic-relief route, McPhail said.

Two building owners in the area, Mike Becker and Ken Teague, both opposed the cul-de-sacs and want Tri-Fret to extend Erie. McPhail said his client was assured the cul-de-sac idea would be approved. The developer has waited a year for a building permit, he added. Without the cul-de-sacs, the land wouldn't reach its highest and best use, he added.

Tobacco control funds

Also up for first reading was a special ordinance to authorize Finnie to enter into a contract with the state Department of Mental Health to fund tobacco control enforcement and to amend the city's health department budget by $57,000 for the current fiscal year.

Council approves zoning changes

Three bills were approved, one which will allow a use permit for a 315-foot FM tower generally located on the north side of West Bennett Street between Scenic and West avenues.

Two other bills were approved. One rezoned two acres west of North Glenstone Avenue north of McClernon Street from medium-density multifamily residential to a general retail district; the other called for acceptance of land or easements on the east side of South Oak Grove Avenue between Bennett and Verona Streets.

Other first reading bills

The public and council heard first reading of bill to allow the city to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Greene County that the city may charge a sewer connection fee to county residents who wish to connect to the city sewer in District No. 25 of Section 19.

Another first-reading bill was to accept the dedication of land or easements in the preliminary plat of Kramer West Subdivision, generally located on the south side of the 3600 block of West Division Street.