Planning Commission approves rezoning of 2650 Main Street to community commercial

The Springfield Planning Commission voted 6-0 to approve a zoning map amendment to rezone 2650 Main Street to community commercial, allowing commercial uses — including the automotive-related proposal presented by the applicant — to locate on the site.

The rezoning aligns the property’s zoning with its comprehensive plan designation and the Mid Springfield refinement plan, staff said, and will require a future site plan review and any required building permits and traffic analysis before businesses open.

Senior planner Andy Limberg told the commission the property has long been visible on Main Street and was formerly the Schmonks Tire Center. “It was sold to another party. It remained vacant for a couple years, and now the applicant and property owner are advancing a request to rezone the property to community commercial,” Limberg said. He added that the site’s comprehensive plan designation already identifies the parcel for commercial use and that staff recommends rezoning the northern half of the site as measured from the center line of Main Street to bring the zoning map into alignment with the plan.

City attorney Mary Bridget Smith opened the hearing with procedural instructions, including appeal rights and evidentiary rules. “If you want the planning commission to consider your testimony and to preserve your right to appeal the decision to the Land Use Board of Appeals, you must testify orally or in writing before the commission closes the record,” Smith said, and she noted state law requires the record be held open at least seven days after it is closed to allow final applicant arguments.

Applicant Mike De Laverne, owner of LockDown Performance, presented renderings and a program for the site that he said would be “100% automotive related.” De Laverne described plans for multiple bays for tire and audio businesses, a retail space, an upstairs RC drift lounge and arcades, a café called the Caffeine Garage, and a performance center with a dyno. “We are the ones that are planning to redo this piece of property and make it something that is usable for the whole community,” De Laverne said. He told commissioners the business would also host community events such as occasional movie nights.

Commissioners and staff discussed technical and regulatory follow-ups that will occur after rezoning. Commissioner Greenwell asked whether adjoining properties would face any new burdens such as different fire-code requirements; Limberg said building permits and inspections will apply and that the site already has fire infrastructure. “There’s two fire hydrants along the frontage. I believe some of the buildings are sprinklered already,” he said. On traffic, Limberg said a traffic analysis will be required as part of site review and that the city will coordinate with ODOT because Main Street is under its jurisdiction. “Not necessarily a full traffic study, but there’ll be a traffic analysis just how the driveways will be operating,” he said, and staff told the applicant they may ask to consolidate or remove a driveway to improve parking and flow.

Only one person spoke during public testimony. David Schmunk of 6235 Thurston Road said he had met the applicants and offered support for their plans.

The commission voted first to close the public hearing and record; the motion passed 6-0. The commission then voted 6-0 to approve the final order adopting the zoning map amendment as recommended in the staff report. Commissioners voting aye included Commissioner Eklund, Commissioner Greenwell, Commissioner Thompson, Vice Chair Schmunk, Commissioner Driggs and Commissioner Weber.

Rezoning does not itself approve a specific building or use; any future tenant or alterations will be subject to site plan review, building permits, and applicable environmental or safety reviews. Staff noted the city maintains records of known underground storage tanks and similar hazards and that this particular parcel is not on the city’s list of known contaminated sites, though any future excavation or redevelopment may require environmental due diligence by future property owners or developers.

The commission had no further business and adjourned.