Planning and Zoning to revote on Galloway recommendations

After a procedural misunderstanding, Springfield’s Planning and Zoning Commission will revote on whether to give its stamp of approval to a series of Galloway Village development recommendations.

The commission on Aug. 15 voted 4-4, with officials at the time believing a tie meant denial of the subject at hand. One of the nine members was absent from the meeting.

However, upon reviewing the commission’s rules, officials determined another vote needs to be held. The commission now is scheduled to meet Sept. 12 on whether to send city staff recommendations for the neighborhood on to City Council. The latter governmental body is expected to consider the recommendations Sept. 23, according to a news release.

The recommendations, which would impact future zoning cases in Galloway Village, include:
• the implementation of conditional overlay districts in rezoning cases to limit uses that are incompatible with the character of Galloway Village;
• a call to developers to implement elements that are compatible with historic developments and existing structures;
• the encouragement of a mix of development types, including retail, food and beverage, offices, services and housing;
• limitations on excessive grading and rock blasting;
• improvements to Galloway Street;
• a flood study to determine stormwater improvement needs; and
• the development of pocket parks along the Ozarks Greenway trail.

A 270-day development moratorium recently ended in Galloway Village, where at least $21 million in projects were completed or started during 2018.

Council additionally voted Aug. 12 to establish a community improvement district for the neighborhood. An associated sales tax vote by residents is the next step, Springfield Business Journal previously reported.