Residents of Springfield’s High Meadow East neighborhood have taken a stand against a recent rezoning decision by the City Council, which would allow the construction of a 182-unit apartment complex at the intersection of Walnut Lawn Street and Maryland Avenue. On June 3, a referendum petition containing 1,928 signatures was submitted to the City Clerk’s Office, exceeding the required 1,499 signatures needed to challenge the rezoning.
Community Concerns
The proposed development, known as The Reserve at Medical Mile, has faced opposition from local residents who are concerned about the project’s impact on their neighborhood. Despite modifications by the developer, Bibi Oaks, LLC, including reducing the building’s height and relocating parking spaces, residents remain worried about the building’s height, density, and potential traffic increases.
Arlene Chriswell, a resident who helped deliver the petition, expressed skepticism about the developer’s expectations, stating, “I don’t think they expected a response, and they certainly didn’t expect us to get 1,928 signatures.” The petition now requires the City Council to either repeal the rezoning ordinance or place the matter on the ballot for voters to decide.
Developer’s Response and Neighborhood Engagement
The developer’s attempts to address neighborhood concerns included offering backyard access to nearby properties and adding amenities such as a pool and fitness room. However, these efforts have not swayed the residents, who feel the changes are insufficient. Chriswell and others have advocated for the city to purchase the property and convert it into a park instead.
Ann Potter, another resident, criticized the lack of early engagement from the developer, stating, “I would have appreciated it if they had, at the very beginning, called the neighborhood into a meeting and say ‘We’re moving into your neighborhood, this is what we want to do. How can we help you?'”
Next Steps
The City Clerk has 20 days to verify the petition signatures. If deemed insufficient, petitioners have an additional 10 days to gather more signatures. The City Council’s decision to approve the rezoning was passed with a 7-2 vote, despite a successful protest petition requiring a supermajority for approval. Council members Craig Hosmer and Brandon Jenson opposed the rezoning, citing concerns about the project’s compatibility with the neighborhood.
As the community awaits the City Clerk’s decision, the future of the Medical Mile development remains uncertain, with residents hopeful that their voices will lead to a reconsideration of the project.
Original reporting: Springfield Daily Citizen — read the source article.
