Please sign in opposition to the proposed rezoning of Property Identified in Case #2410 from Suburban to Urban.

The developer has now asked to amend his proposal to a smaller acreage. Per Greene County the Commissioners will not hear this case until after it goes before the Planning Board again. Please attend the Planning Board Hearing about this proposed change to Urban Zoning. It is Tuesday, 19 May 2026 at 7:00 pm. It is at the Historic Courthouse at 940 N. Boonville Room 212, Springfield.

Information about this case: 

The amended proposal if allowed will change zoning from Suburban Residential to Urban Residential on 12 acres, potentially allowing over 70 houses. This seems to be a precursor to a request that would then open up a zoning change request for the remaining 81 acres from Suburban Residential Zoning to Urban Residential and allow would allow up to 530 houses to be built on 6000 sq ft lots.  This "Phase 2" is already shown on the developer's sketch plan.  If this zoning change is allowed, it opens the door for High Density Urban Zoning. This is a work around to access the 100 available sewer hookups Willard stated to the planning board that they currently have.  Phase 1 is using 36, leaving Phase 2  up to 64. The City of Willard  has not been forthcoming with any information related to future sewer access or related financial obligations but has released contradicting statements regarding Annexation of this land. 

The tracts are located by Villa Park, between AB and FR to EE in Willard School District, Willard Fire, Willard Water.  The developer agent requesting this change is currently an elected official in city government in Springfield, Derek Lee. 

There are only 2 other tracts of land in Greene County zoned Urban Residential. Both are within Springfield city limits. The 1 that has been developed also added students to Willard Schools and is a large area of small homes, many have become rental properties. How many more students can the existing schools absorb before more buildings will be required? This development will border Willard Central Elementary which will not be able to take in the influx of students. Neither of the two current Urban residential developments in Springfield/Greene County has that number of houses (600) or lots that are that small (6000 sq ft) so this will be even more high density housing than exists in Springfield. The proposal is asking for approximately 6-7 houses per acre.

Daily many people travel these roads which are definitely not built to handle Urban traffic. If you don't live in the area you might not experience the low water pressure but water supply should be a concern. What repercussions will occur from adding more usage to the sewer? Where will the drainage and run off go, especially with maximizing the 93 acres for 600 houses if the land is piecemealed into Urban residential zoning as the developer Lee is trying to do? EE already floods and closes with heavy rain. The fire station is currently unmanned, it potentially will have 1 fireman on duty in the future. What type of response time will that provide? Who will be policing this area? Already releasees from Greene County jail wonder into neighboring areas. 

Is this the best plan for development for an unincorporated rural area of Greene County? What other plans does the city and county have in store, is this related to the plans to build the loop? If this is successful, what does it mean for the future of rural Greene County?

If you are unable to attend in person, to attend the meeting remotely you will have to download the Cisco WebEx app or join by phone. That information will be posted on the Greene County website prior to the Hearing date.