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CEDA approves Sycamore Ridge Phase 3 final plat (67 lots); commissioner voices public-safety staffing concern
Summary
The commission approved the final plat for Phase 3 of Sycamore Ridge (67 single-family lots) with conditions including a required turn lane and correction of a mislabeled street; Mrs. Ryan Schilke voted against the motion citing concerns about fire and police staffing and emergency response.
The CEDA Regional Planning Commission voted June 4 to approve the final plat for Phase 3 of the Sycamore Ridge subdivision in Springfield, which would create 67 single-family lots and new public roads and utilities. Planning staff noted the preliminary plat was approved in 2022 and Phase 1 was recorded in February 2025; staff recommended approval with conditions and noted some prior phases had not been recorded within one year of approval.
Planner Vaidehe Agwan said the project proposes three access points — E. Leffel Ln., S. Burnett Rd. and a connection to Memorial Drive — internal roads with 50-foot right-of-way widths and 5-foot sidewalks, and that a traffic study and turn-lane improvements along Leffel Ln. and S. Burnett Rd. were conditions of approval. Staff also requested correction of a mislabeled connection name from Gerald Drive to Memorial Drive and noted City Engineering may include additional comments to be addressed before final signatures.
Commissioner Tim Sheerin confirmed the turn lane on S. Burnett remained a condition; Mrs. Ryan Schilke raised public-safety concerns, noting multiple closures and overtime for Engine 6 and minimum staffing levels in the police department and saying "She doesn’t understand how they can ensure that all neighborhoods are served with those conditions." Agwan said the staff summary included the fire division and police recommendations and referenced the city’s county-wide mutual-aid agreement and shared dispatch as mechanisms to extend coverage.
During the public portion, Ross Behnfeldt (DDC Management), representing the owner/applicant, said "they would be installing the turn lane for S. Burnett with phase 2, and construction would be started in the next 30-40 days," acknowledged that an earlier CEDA approval had expired because recording timing changed, and said he would return to seek reapproval for Phase 2. Resident Tami Chance testified she was worried that a nearby dirt-bike racetrack and understaffed emergency services could create a situation where injured children might not receive timely help.
A motion by Mr. Greg Rogers, seconded by Mr. Sunny Dhingra, to approve Case CSB-2026-03 (Resolution CEDA-2026-05) carried with recorded Yes votes from Rogers, Dhingra, Mako, Sheerin and Wear and a recorded No from Mrs. Ryan Schilke. The approval includes the stated conditions; City Engineering comments and the corrected street name to Memorial Drive must be addressed before final plat signatures.
