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Galloway Village development hearing again postponed

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A Springfield Planning & Zoning Commission hearing for a proposed Galloway Village mixed-use development has again been postposed amid resident concerns.

The city of Springfield this morning issued a notice that a rezoning hearing scheduled for tomorrow will be moved to P&Z’s Oct. 11 meeting. The applicant previously postponed a hearing on Aug. 9, said Michael Sparlin, senior city planner. The rezoning request by Mitch Jenkins of Elevation Development Co. seeks a change to general retail district from single-family residential and limited business district.

Sparlin said Jenkins wants to buy and develop on roughly 3 acres at 3503, 3521 and 3527 S. Lone Pine Ave. The purchase from current property owners Roger Bannigan and Scott Munson is contingent on the rezoning, Sparlin said. Jenkins, according to city materials, is planning a development with first-floor retail and multifamily residential above it.

Jenkins, according to his LinkedIn profile, founded Elevation Development a year ago. Elevation Development’s website indicates Jenkins previously was a commercial real estate agent and has an MBA from Missouri State University. He and his wife Amanda also are listed as pastors for The Courageous Church.

The proposed Galloway Village development site includes the now shuttered Sequiota Bike Shop, which closed in March amid a landlord dispute with Bannigan and Munson, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting.

According to the city notice, the postponement allows the developer more time to work with those living in the Galloway Village neighborhood.

Sparlin said Jenkins has faced pushback during two neighborhood meetings that, according to city documents, were held July 16 and Aug. 21. Residents voiced concerns about green space, water quality, pedestrian safety, traffic, taxes and the density of apartments.

“We’ve had extensive emails and comments back stating their concerns and opposition to the proposed development and the rezoning,” Sparlin said.

More than 30 people attended the July 16 meeting, according to city documents, which include comments from residents.

“The nature of the neighborhood and the flow of traffic through it would impact those of us living here,” said resident Isabel Eisenhauer in a letter to developer representative Derek Lee.

Another resident, Tom O’Connell, took issue with plans to replace the former Sequiota Bike Shop.

“I understand the most profitable thing for a new owner would be to bulldoze the whole property and start new,” O’Connell wrote in a letter to Lee. “Is it not possible to renovate any of the existing buildings?”

Jenkins and Lee, of Lee Engineering & Associates LLC, could not be reached for comment by deadline.

Another development proposal to the north was recently put on pause by City Council.

Applicants Briarcliff Investments LLC and resident John Gentry want to rezone property at the southwest corner of Battlefield Road and Lone Pine Avenue to make way for a medical office building. Council voted Aug. 27 to table the request, according to past SBJ reporting.

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