P&Z rejects housing proposal opposed by residents

Last edited 2:17 p.m., Dec. 23, 2024 [Editor's note: A clarifying statement has been added about the LLC's secretary of state filing.]

The Springfield Planning & Zoning Commission voted last week to reject the application for a planned housing development in Galloway Village that has been opposed by residents.

The applicant in the case, JCRS Development LLC, is seeking a preliminary plat at 3040 S. Arcadia Ave., located near the Galloway Village entrance at Lone Pine Avenue and Battlefield Road. The application states that the development would subdivide nearly 8.7 residential acres into 40 lots collectively known as the Chimney Rock subdivision.

The commission voted 6-1 against the measure at its Dec. 19 meeting, with Vice Chair Carl Knuckles in favor and members Chris Lebeck and Helen Gunther absent for the vote. The vote required a majority of those present, with five members representing a quorum.

James Hansen, project manager at Own Inc., who spoke on behalf of JCRS Development at the meeting, told commissioners that the development company was in compliance with city regulations.

"The city has requirements. We are meeting the requirements," Hansen said. "We're not asking for any amendments to allow lots that would not otherwise meet the regulations."

JCRS Development's application that was considered by P&Z includes nearly 20 letters in opposition of the housing development by neighboring residents. Myriad people spoke at the P&Z meeting, as well, to oppose the project, with reasons focusing on issues such as lot size and density, the impact on property values, traffic and safety, and stormwater.

Melanie Bach, president of the Galloway Neighborhood Association, said the development "will bring harm to neighbors."

"We feel the potential adverse effects of this proposal justify requiring a planned development or other official rezoning request," Bach said.

Bach said it's her belief that the development "does not conform with the Forward SGF comprehensive plan" due to what she called similarities to cluster developments.

"The density is too inconsistent with the existing homes," Bach said. "I believe that Forward SGF gives you the authority to deny this plan."

P&Z Commission Chair Natalie Broekhoven said she was concerned about residents' issues related to stormwater and quality of place with smaller lot sizes than those that exist in the area.

"I don't think it has been studied well enough whether this will be a negative impact on the region, so I will not be voting to recommend it to City Council," she said.

Knuckles said that while he was "a little bit divided" on the application, he believes it meets the city's requirements.

"I think there needs to be a traffic study, but at the same time my interpretation in how Forward SGF has been addressed is that there's supposed to be a mix of different lot sizes and these lots meet the minimum lot size for a subdivision," he said. "Who am I to tell a developer he can't meet the minimum when that's what we've established as the minimum?"

Daniel Neal, senior planner at the city of Springfield, said via email this morning that the developer must appeal P&Z's decision for the development to be forwarded to Springfield City Council for consideration. He said applicants have historically appealed P&Z denials.

Hansen and the officials listed in the Missouri secretary of state filing for JCRS Development could not be reached immediately for comment by deadline on whether an appeal is planned.

The secretary of state filing lists JCRS Development's organizer as Rick Muenks and its registered agent as Jeff Childs. Muenks said via email that he was involved as an attorney in the formation of the LLC and is not an owner or member of JCRS Development.