Springfield, Willard sign boundary agreement

Both cities have expressed interest in expanding their city limits and urban service areas, particularly toward the Springfield-Branson National Airport. The agreement signed Monday by Springfield Mayor Tom Carlson and Willard Mayor Jamie Schoolcraft would allow Willard to eventually annex the land north and west of the airport, with Springfield getting the areas to the south and east.

The agreement is contingent on a proposed amendment to the state airport zoning law; the current law, passed in 1979, only allows Springfield to annex land inside the Springfield airport zone.

Carlson said the agreement is a sign that Springfield is trying to look more toward the future than the larger Missouri metro areas of St. Louis and Kansas City.

“This agreement is an example of our continued work toward regional cooperation and partnership,” Carlson said before signing the agreement. “It exemplifies the way we want to do business in Springfield.”

Schoolcraft also expressed his pleasure with the cooperative spirit of the negotiations between the two cities.

“It’s great to see that two cities can work together for what’s best for their individual citizens, and be able to cooperate and come to an agreement that works for both cities,” Schoolcraft said.

See SBJ’s Jan. 21 issue for more from the Jan. 14 City Council meeting.