O'Reilly Auto seeks rezoning for purchase, parking

A zoning ordinance request submitted to Springfield City Council on April 19 signals O’Reilly Automotive Inc. is looking at future growth.

At the site of the Springfield automotive parts retailer’s new corporate headquarters, 455 S. Patterson Ave., outdoor construction is complete and workers have moved on to the interior, said O’Reilly spokesman Mark Merz. A public hearing of an ordinance that would rezone a 4.6-acre property adjacent to that 10-acre site sheds light on O’Reilly’s desire to purchase all 14-plus acres from owner Curtis A. Jared, chief operating officer of Jared Enterprises Management Co. LLC.

The sought-after land, located at 335 S. Barnes Ave. and the 2200 block of East Cherry Street, is currently zoned as a medium-density residential district.

The request, made by Jared, would rezone the property to heavy manufacturing and establish a conditional overlay district, which would limit its use to off-street commercial parking.

Paul Engel, vice president at Anderson Engineering Inc., who spoke on Jared’s behalf at the meeting, noted his company has also worked with O’Reilly on the engineering of the 10-acre site. He said Jared is aware of some drainage issues with the property that would limit its use as a development site and was hoping to sell it.

“O’Reilly is going through the process of purchasing (the 10-acre lot), so they decided to just get it all knocked out in one shot,” Engel said. “In the future, O’Reilly is hoping, praying and hoping, that they can grow enough to employ more people and if – there’s no plans to do this now – if they need additional parking, they might need some area to expand.”

According to previous Springfield Business Journal coverage, O’Reilly planned to move 1,400 of its employees into the new headquarters. Merz said he was unaware of the number of additional staffers it would take to spur development of a parking lot.

If it came to the point where development was needed, Engel said, the project would go through a full stormwater review process with Springfield Public Works.

“We would not be able to do anything that would push storm water to the neighboring areas,” he said.

A nearby resident has filed a protest petition with the city, but Springfield principal planner Mike MacPherson said a majority of property owners did not voice opposition to the project. If there had been a majority, council members would have to reach a unanimous decision when they vote May 3, he said.

Council approval is not a given.

“My concern is the day care, the school and the residences that are right there,” said councilwoman Cindy Rushefsky. “I’d hate to see an increase in traffic there, with the school and day care right next door.”