Council to vote tonight on south-side apartment rezoning

Springfield City Council tonight is scheduled to vote on a contentious rezoning proposal for 5 vacant acres north of Kickapoo High School to make way for an upscale apartment complex.

At an Oct. 26 public hearing, seven speakers – including five neighbors opposed to the proposed development – voiced their opinions on the rezoning sought by Luke Warmwater Construction Inc.

The developer has requested the city rezone 4.9 acres south of Kimbrough Avenue and Walnut Lawn Street to a low-density multifamily residential district from a residential townhouse district. The new designation would allow Jason Finley of Finley Homes LLC and silent partners to move forward with plans for their 83-unit complex. Rental rates for the gated community – designed for professionals who want to live near the Medical Mile on South National Avenue – would range between $850 and $1,600 per month, Finley said during the public hearing.

Neighbors cited traffic and stormwater concerns as reasons council should deny the request. Finley’s plans include widening Kimbrough Avenue to handle additional traffic.

Also on the agenda tonight, City Council is slated to vote on a redevelopment plan and blight report submitted by Lantz 1124 LLC for properties at 1124 and 1130 E. Elm Street.

The Planning and Zoning Commission and Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority recommends blight designation for the properties at the southwest corner of South Florence Avenue and East Elm Street, but city staff recommends a denial, saying evidence in the blight report is not sufficient. A blight designation would allow owners to secure tax abatements on improvements to the properties.

According to the blight report, the two adjacent houses are around 95 years old and have deteriorating or unsafe conditions connected to their roofs, foundation, electric wiring, walls, floors and sidewalks.

In addition, council is scheduled to vote on a measure allowing the city to apply for a Missouri Department of Natural Resources state-revolving fund loan of up to $17 million to fund wastewater improvement projects in Springfield. The loan would fund projects associated with the city’s ongoing efforts to meet state and national environmental regulations related to its stormwater and wastewater systems.

Under first reading bills, council will be asked to consider a $4.4 million contract with Overland Park, Kan.-based contractors Black & Veatch Corp. for implementation of a portion of the city’s long-term overflow control program.