School district requests Weaver rezoning

During City Council’s July 10 meeting, SPS requested rezoning for Weaver Elementary School at 1461 N. Douglas Ave. A school remodel and expansion are among the district’s plans for the $96.5 million in bond money approved by voters in April.

“Grant Beach Park and Weaver Elementary are identified in the comprehensive plan as a school park,” City Senior Planner Alana Owen said, “and expansion is encouraged in order to establish a community and neighborhood focal point.”

The $5.5 million project would double the school’s size to about 53,000 square feet, according to Scott Wendt, the district’s director of capital construction. The expansion would add new classroom facilities and a new cafeteria and kitchen, along with air conditioning.

Wendt said the district plans to put the project out for bid in August, with construction being completed in time for the start of the 2007-2008 school year.

The rezoning was required because the site’s current single-family residential zoning does not have the necessary parking space.

Zoning changes

City staff is looking to revamp its zoning ordinances. Changes were proposed to reorganize what types of business are permitted in different zoning areas, along with the definitions of certain businesses.

Among the suggested changes is combining four of the current school classifications into one category. The proposed ordinance combines professional, business, commercial and trade schools into one “business school” category, while industrial schools would remain separate.

“Currently, we have five different school classifications,” Principal Planner Andrew Furedy said. “According to the Building and Development Services and Finance departments, there is no difference between four of those districts, so they’re being rolled into one.”

According to the bill, business schools “provide instruction and occupational training for business and commerce as well as personal knowledge,” while industrial schools use large equipment or outdoor training and are only found in heavier commercial and industrial zoning districts.

Other changes include:

• Adding flea markets to the list of accepted uses in general retail districts;

• Adding pet stores to the center city district use list; and

• Defining stand-alone catering businesses and adding them to the list of accepted uses in general retail, highway commercial, commercial service, industrial commercial and center city districts.

The budget

It also looks like the city of Springfield is going to make more money than it expected this fiscal year.

Council heard first reading on the annual budget adjustment bill. The adjustment comes each year as the city’s revenue estimates are revised from the predictions at the beginning of the fiscal year.

For 2005–2006, the city anticipates bringing in an additional $3,425,000, including $1.36 million from additional sales tax revenues and an additional $1.3 million from City Utilities’ in lieu of tax payments on gas and electric revenues.

The money will be disbursed among various departments, the largest portions going to capital projects and benefit payouts for the Police and Fire departments.

Council will vote on the bills July 24.[[In-content Ad]]