MARCH 27-APRIL 2, 2023 SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS JOURNAL · 7 NEWS Housing development inadvertently nixed by Karen Craigo · kcraigo@sbj.net A project delay requested by Springfield City Council inadvertently caused the de facto denial of a Doling neighborhood housing development. At the Feb. 21 meeting, Springfield City Council asked developer Mike Stalzer to voluntarily host a second neighborhood meeting for the mixed multifamily and single-family housing development he had proposed for the area of 739 W. Talmage St. The required neighborhood meeting for the project coincided with a severe cold snap on Dec. 22, and Councilmember Monica Horton felt the weather prevented some residents from attending the meeting and sharing their concerns. Stalzer did host a second meeting at council’s request. However, City Attorney Rhonda Lewsader informed council at the March 20 meeting of a provision she had discovered that day while preparing for possible questions. The original public hearing on the bill was held on Feb. 6 and declared closed on that date, Lewsader explained. However, city code Section 36-405F states that if council fails to act within 30 days following the conclusion of a public hearing on a preliminary planned development – by March 8, in this case – the development is denied. “There is no action that sitting council can take this evening regarding the application for preliminary planned development,” Lewsader said. Lewsader said the process would have to start over, including a review by the Planning & Zoning Commission and another neighborhood meeting. Even protest petitions collected by neighborhood residents would have to be redone. City Manager Jason Gage said the question of rescheduling a neighborhood meeting came up in the last meeting and city staff had to review city code on the spot. “As you recall, we were trying to, in essence, dance in the meeting to try to address the question,” he said. He added that the code is different for a typical rezoning than for a planned development like Stalzer’s proposal. “I don’t know why,” he said. “And to me, it should be the same; but it is different, and, yes, we missed that area in the code.” Gage offered an apology to council and the developer on behalf of city staff. He added that council has been talking about the urgency of a city code update so that regulations match up with the city’s comprehensive plan, and part of that update is to review processes. “There’s no reason to have small nuances in places that perhaps create inequities,” Gage said. Horton said that while the city considers code changes, it should look into provisions for canceling neighborhood meetings and allowing for them to be rescheduled if there is a situation such as inclement weather. Reached by Springfield Business Journal after the meeting, Stalzer declined to comment. It is unclear whether he will propose the project again. Ironically, the rezoning was not even necessary for the development in its current form, according to Stalzer, who said at the Feb. 6 council meeting that the overall density is five units per acre, which is within the density allowed in a single-family residential zone. Stalzer has already adapted his original plans, reducing the new development from CITY BEAT From the March 20 City Council meeting: • City acts on first of 14 stormwater projects netting $17 million in ARPA funds. • Rezoning is approved for housing near York Elementary. • Grant will address pollution in Wilson’s Creek. • Pair of state grants will improve Kansas Expressway intersections. Full City Council coverage is at SBJ.net/citybeat 55 Townhomes and houses proposed in Doling project Rhonda Lewsader: Process glitch means Doling developer would have to start again. Overlooked code provision means rezoning fails and developer must restart See COUNCIL on page 29 PRESENTED BY NOMINATE ECONOMIC IMPACT AWARDS Who should be recognized with the 2023 Lifetime Achievement in Business Award? Which companies and individuals should be recognized for the impact made on the local economy? Nominate at SBJ.net/EIA
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