City Beat: Warren Davis plans high-end subdivision, office area

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Battlefield and Lone Pine rezoning needed for Davis Ridge Estates|ret||ret||tab|

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by Eric Olson|ret||ret||tab|

SBJ Reporter|ret||ret||tab|

eolson@sbj.net|ret||ret||tab|

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Springfield real estate magnate Warren Davis intends to build an exclusive, private community and a small office at a prominent southeast Springfield intersection.|ret||ret||tab|

All that stands in his way is City Council approval.|ret||ret||tab|

Davis Properties officials are requesting that the city rezone 2.4 acres at the northwest corner of Battlefield and Lone Pine from a single-family residential district to an office district. Springfield City Council held a public hearing May 10, and is expected to vote on the issue May 24.|ret||ret||tab|

If approved, Davis Properties owner and founder Warren Davis would move a division of the company, as well as his personal residence, to the corner. Davis Estates LLC owns nearly 17 acres there. According to the planned development, the land is divided into eight tracts, six of which are residential.|ret||ret||tab|

"You have someone that is going to be very interested in a high-quality development," said John Price, Davis Properties' attorney and co-owner of the land.|ret||ret||tab|

Springfield Associate Planner Alana Owen said the rezoning is consistent with the city's comprehensive plan for such intersections. Planning and Zoning Commission and city staff recommend approval.|ret||ret||tab|

In the past, development has been hotly contested in the area. Led by Southeast Springfield Neighborhood Association and Southern Hills Neighborhood Association, residents have fought to retain greenspace along South Lone Pine. Last year, council denied Greenlawn Funeral Home's attempt to build at Lone Pine and Southern Hills Boulevard amid public scrutiny. Plans for elderly housing and limited business and office uses in the area also have fallen by the wayside in recent years.|ret||ret||tab|

Those planned developments were northeast of Davis Estates' corner parcel. There was no opposition to Davis' proposal at the council meeting.|ret||ret||tab|

Southeast Springfield Neighborhood Association members say Davis Property officials met with them on several occasions to disclose their plans. |ret||ret||tab|

"We worked out all the important details," said Dan Chiles, SESNA officer. "We're going to welcome them to the neighborhood."|ret||ret||tab|

Chiles said neighbors expect the development to increase property values.|ret||ret||tab|

Price told council the corner's natural setting and mature trees would be preserved to the extent possible and landscaped terraces would provide a focal point.|ret||ret||tab|

"This is going to be a very appropriate design for this corner," Price added.|ret||ret||tab|

On the commercial side, a single, 7,000-square-foot office building shared by two tenants most likely Davis Property Management and a Springfield architectural firm would be built on one of the rezoned tracts. A bank has interest in occupying the other one-acre parcel, said Kimberly Harrington, owner/member of Davis Property Management and Davis' daughter.|ret||ret||tab|

The residential portion, called Davis Ridge Estates, is expected to be high-end homes, with lots sold on an exclusive basis. The asking price is $500,000 per two-acre lot, Harrington said. Homes are expected to be valued at more than $1 million, with a first-level minimum size of 4,500 square feet. Masonry construction also is required in the gated community.|ret||ret||tab|

"We want it to be very high end and something the neighbors will be proud of," Harrington said. "It will be a real select process."|ret||ret||tab|

Harrington said there are already 40 names on the waiting list for the lots.|ret||ret||tab|

"We've had several inquiries, but until the thing gets platted and approved by City Council it's hard to do anything," said Ron Shepherd, a property manager for Davis Properties.|ret||ret||tab|

Warren Davis has lived in Bolivar for 30 years and would build his home on a three-acre lot in Davis Ridge Estates.|ret||ret||tab|

Davis Estates LLC acquired the land late last year from John Q. Hammons. The price was not disclosed. Last fall, Planning and Zoning Commission turned down Hammons' proposal for 30 to 40 residential lots on the property.|ret||ret||tab|

In March 2000, council approved a planned development on the east side of this intersection for a retail shopping center that now houses Fuddruckers and other businesses.|ret||ret||tab|

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City budget|ret||ret||tab|

City Council adopted a $219.5 million budget for Springfield's 2004-2005 fiscal year. The budget year runs July 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005.|ret||ret||tab|

"This has been a bit of a struggle for us," said City Manager Tom Finnie. "We've had a difficult time balancing this budget, but it is balanced."|ret||ret||tab|

The difficulty stems from emergency 911 taxes below expectations. Finnie said more 911 calls are originating from cell phones, which cannot be taxed. But Finnie said higher sales tax revenue helped offset the 911 tax.|ret||ret||tab|

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