City Beat: Council mulls funding agreement for development site

Springfield City Council is considering a preliminary funding agreement for a development plan of about 26 acres at West Sunshine Street and James River Freeway.

The preliminary funding agreement begins the process of a potential development on the site by West Sunshine Development LLC. The mostly vacant land is located at 5505 W. Sunshine St., at the northwest corner of the intersection, according to bill documents provided to council members for their Feb. 8 meeting.

Springfield Economic Development Director Sarah Kerner said at the meeting the purpose of the proposed agreement is for the developer to deposit funds to be used for the city’s legal fees while pursuing economic development incentives.

According to city documents, West Sunshine Development would deposit $15,000 to start, with the potential for replenishment if needed.

“You’re not obligating yourself to approve any incentive and the applicant isn’t making any specific application at this time, and they may choose ultimately not to pursue the project at all,” Kerner told council members.

West Sunshine Development is registered to longtime Springfield developer Mike Seitz of Triple S Properties Inc.

According to the ordinance, the developer requested the city consider preparing a tax increment financing plan and review other incentive tools to assist the funding of public infrastructure required by the development.

Seitz did not return calls for comment by press time.

The potential development site is across Sunshine Street from a youth baseball complex and The Barn House Event Center, and adjacent to Cox Roofing Co.

Bill documents stipulate that any prepared TIF plan or other incentive would go through city processes, including public hearings and consideration from council and the city’s TIF Commission.

If passed by council, the ordinance also would adjust the Planning and Development Department’s 2020-21 budget by $50,000. That would allow for the periodic replenishment of the funding agreement account balance, according to bill documents.

Council is scheduled to vote on the matter Feb. 22.

Mercy Fremont Acres
Council members are considering an ordinance relating to a proposed three-lot subdivision dubbed Mercy Fremont Acres on South Fremont Avenue.

The ordinance would accept the dedication of public streets and easements within the preliminary plat to the city.

The preliminary plat, filed with the city on Dec. 7, 2020, is 17 acres at 4431 S. Fremont Ave. The plat applicant is listed as the property owner, St. John’s Regional Health Center, dba Mercy.

The proposal turns the existing lot into a three-lot subdivision in order to facilitate development on the property, according to city documents.

Lot 1, about 7 acres, is home to the Mercy College of Nursing and Health Sciences, while the 8-acre Lot 2 is undeveloped. An existing Mercy clinic is on Lot 3, a 2.5-acre parcel on Lark Street.

The intent is to develop Lot 2, according to the preliminary plat engineering report.

The plan was approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission in January.

Council is set to vote on the ordinance Feb. 22. If approved, the preliminary plat is active for two years. During that time, a final plat must be submitted.

East Sunshine rezoning
A rezoning is under consideration for 1.3 acres at 2832 E. Sunshine St. to an office zone with a conditional overlay district from single-family residential.

Springfield Director of Planning and Development Mary Lilly Smith said the property was designated for low-density housing in the city’s comprehensive plan. However, the surrounding properties are primarily office and general retail zoning. The property is near Southern Hills Shopping Center and a few insurance and law offices.

The conditional overlay district limits the property to one access point off of Sunshine Street and requires a landscaping buffer along the back side of the property which is adjacent to single-family zoning.

The rezoning was requested by 2832 E. Sunshine St. LLC, according to bill documents.

The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission approved the rezoning request Jan. 14, and council will vote on the matter Feb. 22.

Other bills
Council unanimously approved an ordinance to shorten the renewal period for annual trade certifications, registrations and licenses to three months from six months. According to bill documents, the change was recommended by the Building Trades Examination and Certification Board. Instead of a Jan. 1-June 30 renewal period, the ordinance moves the date to March 31.

To cover costs associated with the settlement of fiscal 2020 salary negotiations with the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 152 bargaining unit, council members unanimously approved the appropriation of $441,071. A contract grievance between the city and the IAFF relating to contract language affecting wages was recently settled with council’s approval, according to bill documents. The fiscal 2021 budget does not provide funds for the settlement, but the city had funds in the fiscal 2020 Fire Department budget to cover the costs.