After several public meetings that drew large crowds from east Springfield neighborhoods, Springfield City Council finally voted on a 48-acre mixed-housing development proposal. Despite an outcry in opposition from nearby residents, the council approved the rezoning to allow for a variety of housing, from single-family homes to apartment buildings.
Developers, who include both a local construction group as well as an out-of-state investment firm, sought to rezone the property at 3830 E. Division St. from agricultural to a planned development, a type of unique zoning district that requires a site plan by which the developer must abide. They propose a total of 510 housing units at the southeast corner of Division Street and LeCompte Road. The proposal includes a mix of single-family homes, duplexes, smaller-lot villas, townhomes and 10 three-story apartment buildings.
Councilman Craig Hosmer was the sole vote in opposition as council voted 8-1 to approve the project. Neighbors had gathered a sufficient protest petition, meaning a supermajority of at least six votes was required for the rezoning to pass…