SPRINGFIELD — Springfield City Council this week set its sights on the future development of Main Street and the Gateway area at its Jan. 6 meeting.
The meeting kicked off with Melissa Cariñ, development and public works planner, recommending that the council approve an ordinance affecting an 8.53-acre property northeast of the 48th and Main streets intersection.
The applicant, Timberview Construction, aims to develop a diverse mix of uses on the property, which could allow for housing and commercial development on a vacant lot within city limits. Timberview Construction is represented by Metro Housing and the property is owned by Homes for Good.
The proposal would permit a property designated as mixed use to retain the existing zoning, or be rezoned from high density residential to mixed-use residential. This would include high and medium density residential, in addition to commercial development.
The next hearings turned to annexations in the Gateway area that would yield to future development.
The second ordinance seeks to annex an existing single family residence at 287 Deadmond Ferry Road to the City and Willamalane Park and Recreation District, which would effectively withdrawal the property from the Rainbow Water District.
The proposed annexation is requested to allow future development of the property with higher density residential housing. Rick Satre with Schirmer Satre Group in Eugene said during public comment that the plan following annexation approval would be to change the zoning to high density residential.
The third ordinance would annex 8.37-acres of campus industrial property located at 500 International Way to allow the further development of the Richardson Sports manufacturing facility.
The company is expanding its office and warehouse to provide more manufacturing opportunities, Satre said.
Richardson Sports is a “good employee and it’s nice to see them planning to expand and bring more property into the City,” councilor Sean VanGordon said.
Council also conducted a first reading of the transportation system plan (TSP) implementation project. Emma Neman with the Department of Public Works offered two ordinances: one would result in amendments to the development code and the other would result in amendments to the TSP itself, depending on which the council preferred to adopt.
The project would include an update to the code and adoption of a conceptual street map, as well as changes to the TSP project list and existing figures to further implement already adopted policies.
During business from the audience, Springfield Resident Kris McAlister asked the council to consider implementing more transitional campgrounds for the unhoused population in the community, especially with the recent death of Tom Campbell.
The next city council meeting will be on Monday, Feb. 3 at 67 p.m. at Springfield City Hall, 225 Fifth St. The public is encouraged to attend.
** This story has been edited to reflect the correct name first name of Mr. Campbell.
