Council passes Galloway rezoning bill

A long-debated project in Galloway Village took a major step forward last night when Springfield City Council approved the developer’s rezoning request.

Council voted 7-1 to rezone roughly 4 acres at 3535 S. Lone Pine Ave. for development of the mixed-use project called Treadway. Councilperson Craig Hosmer cast the lone dissenting vote, and councilperson Mike Schilling was absent.

The decision makes way for developer Elevation Development Co. to bring retail, office, restaurant space and two multifamily buildings to the southeast Springfield neighborhood. Many Galloway Village residents have been opposed to the project since its 2018 introduction.

Prior to last night’s vote, council extended the public hearing from its Sept. 8 meeting on an amendment to the project’s rezoning bill due to the number of residents wishing to speak on the issue. While council passed the amendment Sept. 8, last night’s meeting served as a final opportunity for people to have a say before the rezoning vote.

The continuation of the public hearing had 13 speakers, with a mix of residents and project officials. Five spoke out against the amendment and development.

In the approved amendment, Elevation Development is decreasing the height limit to 56 feet from 60 feet for buildings that are more than 60 feet from the street. A planned underground parking garage also is being removed, which reduces grading and still exceeds the required parking for the development, according to city staff.

Residents in opposition to the development have noted the size and aesthetics of the project, as well as stormwater issues and increased traffic on and around Lone Pine Avenue. Those in support believe Treadway would bolster economic development in the Galloway Village area.

“As members of council, it’s your role to represent people. You are our voice. It’s your job to listen to all of us and make tough decisions,” said resident Amy Haymes.

Haymes, who owns property directly south of the project, said developer Mitch Jenkins is “trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.”
Prior to casting his vote against the rezoning request, Councilperson Hosmer said he’s heard a lot of opposition to the project over the past couple of years, noting the vast majority of the neighborhood is against it.

“I don’t think it’s a good location and I don’t think it’s a good development in front of Sequiota Park,” he said.

Councilperson Richard Ollis pointed to the fact that Jenkins’ plan was approved 7-1 in July by the Planning & Zoning Commission and city staff recommended council approval. Ollis said the city also is investing over $11 million in public infrastructure improvements in Galloway over the next few years, including widening Galloway Road, rehabilitating sewers, and making intersection improvements at Lone Pine and Galloway, as well as Lone Pine and Battlefield Road.

Project supporters have said Jenkins has made revisions and concessions to the project multiple times to address opponents’ concerns.

“The only other reason I can think of to not approve this project is frankly for a subjective reason, that I don’t like this project,” Ollis said. “I don’t think that’s council’s role. I believe council’s role is determining if the proper process is followed.”

Mayor Ken McClure said the process has been followed.

“If we deny this project, the message being sent to those who would develop in our community is that opportunity and process do not matter,” McClure said. “I do not think we wish to go there as a community.”

Jenkins’ plans include keeping the four existing, vacant structures on the site. Among them is the former Sequiota Bike Shop, which closed in 2018 but will reopen as part of the new development, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting.
H Design Group LLC is architect for the project, with civil engineering firm Olsson Inc. also on board.
Jenkins previously said this summer he intends to revitalize the existing buildings without making too many structural changes. The project costs and a timeline have not been determined.
Treadway is named after the family who owned the Sequiota Store/Treadway’s General Store & Gas Station, built on the property in 1929.