Colony Cove expansion heard, camera discussions continue

Much public discussion surrounded a rezoning bill during the Oct. 1 City Council meeting. The bill would rezone property from a single-family residential district to a planned development district, which would allow expanding the Colony Cove Mobile Home Park on Springfield's southeast side.

The mobile home park's owner, Pat Johnson, would like to add about 65 new lots on 14.6 acres of land near the 3800 block of South Mentor Avenue. The park already holds 152 lots.

Council heard from both sides on the issue, including Johnson's attorney, Ran-dy Reichard of Lowther Johnson Joyner Lowther Cully & Housley.

Reichard said there would be no trailers in the park, only mobile or manufactured homes with vinyl siding, composite shingles and concrete driveways. A park and community center with a gazebo are also in the plans. "This is the best use for this property," he said.

However, many nearby homeowners opposed the ordinance for fear of the park decreasing their property values. Duane Johnson told council that he built his home in the area 19 years ago only after being told by the city that there would never be an expansion of the park.

And Ed Randall, who lives in the nearby Twin Springs subdivision, asked, "Why allow something that is not consistent with the neighborhood when economics does not justify it?"

Other area residents expressed concern about traffic safety on Mentor. "(Mentor) can't handle any more traffic," said Gwen Berry, who lives on the narrow street and opposes the expansion. "It needs to be widened."

Council will vote on the bill in two weeks.

Campus cameras

In other action, council unanimously voted to continue the resolution to place cameras in Fassnight Park. The bill, which Mayor Tom Carlson said was too "fuzzy," was designed to eliminate problems like fighting, smoking and drug dealing around the park and adjacent Parkview High School.

The city already has received a $12,000 grant to pay for the cameras, which would be monitored by the school.

One member of the public spoke. Sid Smith questioned the validity of the bill and said he was "seriously disturbed" by the explanation of the plan and "would like something in black and white."

The bill will be re-examined and voted on in two weeks.

Legacy of Flight

Council voted unanimously to initiate the annexation of 170 acres of land designated for developing the Legacy of Flight Museum. The private property is located at the northeast corner of Inter-state 44 and U.S. Highway 65.

A public hearing on the proposed annexation is scheduled for Oct. 15.

PIC West

Council unanimously passed a bill to allow $4.08 million for the purchase of the land for the Partnership Industrial Center West. Funds will also go toward highway, road, street, sewer and storm-water improvements.

Second CID

A proposal to approve the city's second community improvement district will be voted on in two weeks. A first reading bill requested the formation of the Convention and Entertainment CID on the downtown property owned by the city and John Q. Hammons.

If passed, the bill would enforce a self-imposed tax to help fund the proposed exposition center, Finnie said, and would amend the city budget in the amount of $54,000 for the purpose of making payments in lieu of taxes to the district.