Planning staff present Galloway recommendations to council

As a development moratorium comes to a close for Galloway Village, Springfield City Council yesterday heard recommendations on the future of the eclectic neighborhood.

Among the recommendations — presented by Springfield’s Planning & Development staff at a council luncheon — is a clause calling on the consideration of architectural design guidelines and land use restrictions to keep the style of Galloway Village consistent. The recommendations followed six stakeholder committee and three public input meetings, as well as the launch of two surveys. More than 500 people participated in the process, according to a news release.

“Although there’s been controversy over the level of development that should occur, we have had an overall positive response to this engagement effort, and many common goals for the area have been established,” Senior Planner Olivia Hough said in the release. “It has been great to see how many people love Galloway and are committed to helping shape its future in our community.”

Staff recommendations 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.

Council is scheduled to vote to adopt a policy document this fall after a final version of the recommendation report is completed, according to the release.

The 270-day development moratorium is scheduled to expire Aug. 2. The moratorium followed a 2014 blight study and redevelopment plan for the area that shed a light on development issues brought on by Galloway Village’s topography.

In the quaint southeast Springfield neighborhood, at least $21 million in projects were completed or started during 2018, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting.