City sidewalks issue passed, deemed 'reasonable' by Springfield mayor

With public safety at the forefront, City Council voted favorably to re-enact Springfield's sidewalk ordinance after it spent about two years in legislative limbo.

Springfield Mayor Tom Carlson declared the ordinance "reasonable" and asked city staff to take "reasonable measures" when enforcing it, before City Council approved it with a 7-1 vote during the Oct. 7 meeting.

The sidewalk ordinance, which holds property owners responsible for cleaning and maintaining sidewalks adjacent to their property, had been on Springfield's books for nearly 50 years until the city accidentally removed it two years ago.

Some council members were hesitant after receiving concerned phone calls from property owners unclear about the bill's repercussions.

"I understand the basis for it ... but it is still not defining so the people I represent can understand what's expected of them," Councilman John Wylie said before voting in favor of it.

Council members say the legislative intent is to focus on commercial properties and safety of the public.

"I continue to read it as applying primarily to the business districts," said Councilman Bob Chancellor. "I am confident that the current administration and future administrations are going to use this ordinance wisely; that they are going to apply it in commercial areas and ... to people who are problems."

Aiming to clarify the bill, Carlson amended it to read that persons are required to take "reasonable measures" when keeping their sidewalks free and clear of hazards.

It didn't convince Councilwoman Mary Collette, who provided the lone negative vote.

"I just think it's odd that we are voting on something that isn't in black and white," she said. "If it is to be commercial establishments ... it should be reflected in the ordinance."

City Manager Tom Finnie, who will administer the law, defines reasonable as knowing when it's appropriate to go out and shovel the snow.

"If we do something unreasonable, all it takes is a simple vote of council to change the law and it only takes a simple vote of council to change administrators. I certainly understand the word reasonable and can assure you it will be done in a reasonable manner."

According to city administrators, the bill is primarily for clearing ice and snow from sidewalks.

Auto World move

Council heard a rezoning bill to allow the development of a used car lot on the northeast corner of Campbell Avenue and Lakewood Street. Auto World of Springfield owner Steve Faria plans to move his dealership from 511 S. Ingram Mill Road and build a car lot across from the Library Center on South Campbell Avenue.

The land is zoned general retail and is requested to change to a planned development. The bill requires the developer to utilize a 4-foot-high evergreen hedge as screening from the highway and requires that the exterior of the dealership's offices be constructed with brick, stone or stucco.

One member of the public, Justin Skiles, spoke in opposition. Skiles, representing Shadowood Homeowners Association, is concerned about urban sprawl in the area.

"I believe it would be more prudent for the city to advocate building in areas of despair or vacancy," he said.

Faria said the development will be upscale with "a lot of thought and a lot of landscape," including a waterfall at the entrance. He plans to invest $1 million in land development and office construction.

Granite Springs extension

Another planned development is the extension of Granite Springs subdivision in southeast Springfield. Denali Develop-ment, owned by Mark and Mary Eck, has plans to construct a mixed-use development of duplexes, townhouses, apartments and retail and office space in separately designated areas.

Council heard a first reading bill to rezone the 130 acres of land near the Evans Road and Highway 65 interchange from a Greene County agricultural district to a planned development district. Mark Eck said 67 acres is proposed for residential development, 29 acres for offices or apartments and 25 acres for general retail use.

The extension includes an east-west arterial from Evans Road and Highway 65 through the development. Eck is responsible for building the portion of road on his property. City plans call for the road to eventually intersect National Avenue, Campbell Avenue and Kansas Expressway, and extend to the town of Battlefield.

City sewer expansion

Extension of and improvements to the city of Springfield's sewer system may cost as much as $46.2 million resulting in a 10 percent rate increase by 2009. City Council is considering issuing special obligation bonds for such improvements. The bill also authorizes a low-interest loan between 2 percent and 2.5 percent, Finnie said through the Water and Wastewater Loan Fund of the state of Missouri.

Bob Schaefer, assistant director of Public Works, said the public rate increases would start at 2 percent beginning in 2004. The 10 percent increase would be achieved over a five-year period.

Council already approved the system expansion plans.

Other action

Council approved accepting $8,805,000 of leasehold revenue bonds from The Public Building Corporation of the city for the purpose of funding capital improvements. Storm water projects top the list of improvements with allocations of $6.2 million. Facilities improvements, including old city hall, will consume $1.5 million of the bonds, debt service reserve is $805,000, and $300,000 is earmarked for the cost of the issuance.

Finnie said the bonds are at a "very nice" interest rate of 3.82 percent. The board of directors of the corporation recommended approval.

Hoping to foster spin-off activity, council authorized a new $30,000 Community Development Block Grant to remove the canopy on the southeast corner of downtown's public square. City officials say the canopy impedes development on the square, the heart of the city's target area for redevelopment. The canopy in front of the Heer's Building and the Missouri Office Complex Building was removed over the summer.