Five people came to Monday night's Springfield City Council meeting to voice their opinions about a proposed residential care facility on West Sunset Street.
Council is considering rezoning nearly 11 acres in the 500 and 600 blocks of West Sunset Street, between South Campbell Avenue and South Grant Avenue. The land is currently zoned for single-family residences, but council is considering changing that designation to office and general retail space. The site is intended for a residential care facility owned by Maples Healthcare.
Neighbors said they are concerned that the development of the site will create storm-water runoff problems and result in decreased property values. The primary issue, however, is increased traffic in the neighborhood from a proposed extension of Market Avenue, a short street off West Greenwood Street. The expansion would connect Greenwood and Sunset.
"Of course, the developer would like not to do it, just because of the cost issue," Jane Earnhart, landscape architect at Scott Consulting Engineers PC, said, noting that the extension has been included in the development at the request of the city.
Council members recommended further study of the street expansion and storm water concerns. Council will hold second reading of the bill at its Dec. 14 meeting.[[In-content Ad]]Read more about the Nov. 23 meeting in SBJ's Nov. 30 issue.
