Council introduces amendments to controversial bills

Springfield City Council members are expected to introduce amendments at the Oct. 13 meeting to two bills that have brought much public debate to City Hall.

Neighborhood zoning concerns
A rezoning request for some 90 acres of south-side land will likely get an amendment bowing to neighbors' requests.

Developer Curtis Jared's contested rezoning proposal adjacent to the Library Center was tabled Sept. 22 as council heard concern from neighbors over its proposed connectivity between the commercial development and the Quail Creek and Wellington Hills neighborhoods nearby. The key point of contention was the connectivity, which Jared told council he would be fine with removing.

Councilwoman Cindy Rushefsky this week indicated she will propose an amendment to remove connections to the Wellington Hills development to the south but add a fire access gate between Quail Creek and Jared's proposed development. This access point could only be unlocked by the Springfield Fire Department and would allow firefighters easier access to both sides, according to a news release.

The 'bathroom exception'
Council is slated to vote Oct. 13 on whether to add sexual orientation and gender identity as protected categories under Springfield's nondiscrimination ordinance.

Rushefsky and Councilman Craig Hosmer crafted an amendment creating a "bathroom exception" to the proposed ordinance change, according to the city news release.

The amendment would prohibit the SOGI ordinance from applying to facilities that are private in nature, such as restrooms, shower rooms and dressing rooms. Patterned after a Key West, Fla., code passed in 2007 and still in use, the proposed amendment would essentially clarify that a person cannot claim discrimination if they are prohibited from using these types of facilities.

According to the release, the city's law department does not consider the potential amendment to be substantive, so council could choose to vote on the entire bill during the upcoming meeting. Residents will have a chance to speak to the amendment only, prior to vote on the entire bill.

If approved, the bill would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the city's list of protected categories when it comes to areas of employment, housing and public accommodations, the release said.