University Heights neighborhood

Another proposal for the eight controversial properties came under consideration but not before some unusual parliamentary procedures.

The Planning and Zoning Commission considered the latest revised rezoning plan for a contentious tract of properties at the intersection of Sunshine and National in Springfield. The developer has been attempting to rezone the properties since 2022. The plan will receive a hearing before Springfield City Council next month.

City rules required a six-vote supermajority of council members to approve the rezoning ordinance. It's not clear what comes next.

Such a vote would be a milestone in a tension-filled saga that began at a profanity-laced meeting between commercial developers and many University Heights neighborhood residents back in August 2022.

After an unusual four months of deliberations, on Friday Judge Derek Ankrom entered an order in favor of Be Kind & Merciful LLC developers.

The Springfield court case brought by University Heights homeowners against commercial developers went to trial on Thursday.

The City of Springfield says Be Kind & Merciful LLC is now seeking a planned development status for its property in University Heights — requiring a specific site plan and stricter standards than commercial zoning.

After six hours of court argument and testimony from three witnesses taken two days after Christmas, it’s still not clear what will go up — if anything — on the northwest corner of Sunshine Street and National Avenue in Springfield’s historic University Heights neighborhood.

In December 2022, neighborhood residents filed a lawsuit to block developers’ plans for commercial buildings at the corner of National Avenue and Sunshine Street.

On Thursday night, seven of the nine Springfield Planning & Zoning Commissioners voted against a rezoning proposal that would allow for development at the corner of Sunshine Street and National Avenue.