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Planning commission approves multiple rezones, variances and a street name change; several items postponed
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Summary
At its Jan. 15 meeting the commission recommended approval of three rezoning cases (Z22026, Z62026, Z82026), approved a subdivision variance, adopted a street name change to Blaine Lane, postponed several items to Feb. 12 and held officer elections.
The Springfield Planning & Zoning Commission on Jan. 15 advanced a slate of routine land-use items: the commission recommended approval of three rezoning petitions, approved a subdivision variance, recommended changing a segment of Blaine Street to Blaine Lane, postponed several items to Feb. 12 and completed its officer elections.
Rezoning approvals - Z22026 (1138 East Elm / South Florence Avenue): Senior planner Michael Sparling described a move from RHD (High Density Multifamily Residential) with a University Combining District to GR (General Retail) with Conditional Overlay District (COD 283) that limits uses to residential and requires a CUP for any future first-floor residential. Applicant Daniel Richards said the New Way apartment complex would be remodeled from 14 units to 20 units and additional off-street parking is needed. The commission recommended approval.
- Z62026 (2000 South McCurry Avenue): Staff recommended rezoning 17.84 acres from Planned Development 343 to RMD (Medium Density Multifamily) with COD 284 limiting density to 24 dwelling units per acre and requiring conformance with submitted site plans and three residential amenities; the commission recommended approval.
- Z82026 (3005 West Chestnut Expressway): Staff said the applicant seeks to rezone 0.4 acre from General Manufacturing to Industrial Commercial to allow retail sales in a building for lease; the commission recommended approval.
Other actions - Subdivision Variance 361 (4017 South Jefferson Avenue / East Walnut Street): Staff presented the variance to allow one driveway access where regulations would otherwise prohibit direct access off Jefferson; applicant Jack Meadows said the plan is to combine two existing drives (10 ft and 12 ft) into a single 26-foot one-way entrance and provide cross-access easements. The commission approved the variance subject to criteria in the staff report.
- Street name change 83 (Blaine Street to Blaine Lane): Petitioned by the Historic Commercial Club and supported by property owners in the packet, Mary Collette said the change will help brand and promote the historic Commercial Street gateway area; staff said a limited number of addresses would change and notified property owners. The commission recommended approval and the change will go to City Council on Feb. 9.
- Postponements: Plan Development 394, Vacation 843 and preliminary plat of Hawkins Mill Subdivision were postponed to the Feb. 12, 2026 commission meeting at the applicants' requests.
- Elections: The commission re-elected Randall Donning as chair and selected Dan Scott as vice chair.
Votes at a glance: multiple items were approved by motions and majority vote at the Jan. 15 meeting and most approved rezoning items will be scheduled for City Council hearings on Feb. 9 when required by code.
