Council OKs rezoning request for Memorial Health System parcel with one-year reversion condition

The Springfield City Council voted to reclassify roughly 40.78 acres north of Milby Lane from I1 (light industrial) to B1 (highway business/service) at the request of Memorial Health System.

Regional planning staff told the council that, while the requested B1 zoning was not strictly consistent with the city plan designation, it represented an acceptable alternative because parcels directly to the south are already zoned B1. The council motion included a condition that the reclassification would revert to the existing I1 zoning if Memorial Health System did not complete purchase of the property within one year of the ordinance’s approval.

A motion to approve the Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation with the one-year reversion condition was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote; the clerk recorded nine yes votes and no opposition.

What happens next: The zoning change will be recorded and the one-year completion condition monitored by the zoning administrator; if the petitioner notifies the zoning administrator in writing that the purchase did not close, the zoning would revert per the motion’s terms.