Plans for a senior living facility in south Springfield are moving forward

After undergoing multiple rezonings within the past three years, a lot in south Springfield may finally have arrived at its final plan — a senior living facility.

Located at 817 W. El Camino Alto Drive, the property includes 5.4 acres of undeveloped land that is slated to be used to develop a 55+ senior facility with a mixed use of independent and assisted living facilities.

In order to make those plans a reality, an application to rezone the parcel was in front of Springfield Planning & Zoning Commission Thursday evening. The goal of the developer is to rezone to Office District with a conditional overlay district in order to allow for the senior living facility. Currently, the property is zoned as low-density multi-family residential though it was zoned office district when it was first platted in 2018.

Melanie Steck, who lives in the Quail Creek subdivision directly next to the proposed development, said in comparison to past plans, this was a welcome one by those in the nearby single-family homes.

"Personally, I'm very excited with the plans of what they plan on putting behind us," she told the commission. "Most of the neighbors in our neighborhood are aging and elderly folk, so we welcome more of that; they're great neighbors."

The property is owned by HZ55 LLC, which is registered under Matt Miller of Miller Commerce, according to the Secretary of State database. The LLC purchased the lot at the end of December 2022.

Dave Bodeen, with Pinnacle Design Consultants representing the developer, said the facility is planned for the western half of the lot with future plans to split the east and west portions in half. Because of the west half being the one abutting the neighborhood, the overlay district aims to safeguard the residents, which Steck said she appreciated.

The COD restricts all structures within 400 feet of the west property line to one story in height, prohibits community amenities within 100 feet of the west line and requires a wood privacy fence with evergreen trees as a buffer.

P&Z supported the rezoning unanimously with Commissioner Bruce Colony abstaining and Commissioner Dan Scott absent. The rezoning will head to Springfield City Council Aug. 5.

Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at mmieze@news-leader.com.