Another subdivision set for Republic — if council approves

Worse traffic congestion on North Main Street a concern if city council OK’s 122-lot development
The first property discussed is five acres and currently zoned medium density single-family with a request to change to high density single-family residential, while the second property is 25 acres of land zoned agricultural with a request to also change to high density single-family residential.
Several individuals—nearby residents—spoke against the project citing the usual concerns of traffic, water runoff and safety.
One person who spoke in favor of the change, however, was Chris Wynn, who was there on behalf of the developer Enterprise Development. Wynn said that if the rezone passes, the incoming project would be a subdivision with approximately 122 lots, and both properties being developed in concert.
Although the neighbors tried to discourage the build during the proceedings, city staff recommended approval and the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5-0 in favor of the rezone.

As this was the first reading, no vote was taken by the council. A final vote on the matter will likely be taken at the council’s next meeting, May 7.

In other business
The council voted 7-0 to:
- Authorize the mayor to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Missouri Department of Labor for establishment of an employee apprenticeship program;
- Authorize the mayor to execute an intergovernmental agreement with the Republic R-3 School District and Drury Properties Inc. for right of way access and other related obligations as part of the New Republic Intermediate School project;
- Authorize the mayor to enter an intergovernmental agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission and Drury Properties Inc. for right of way accesses part of the new Republic Intermediate School project;
- Authorize the mayor to execute an intergovernmental agreement with the Republic R-3 School District and Springfield Evergreen Holdings, LLC for the installation and maintenance of sewer infrastructure to service the new Republic Intermediate School project;
- Authorize the mayor to execute an intergovernmental agreement with the Republic R-3 School District ands Great Escape Beer Works LLC for installation and maintenance of infrastructure to service the new Republic Intermediate School project.
In other business…
Council member and soon-to-be-mayor Eric Franklin urged his fellow council members to support an increase in pay for the board, especially regarding the mayor’s position. Franklin proposed to increase the pay for council members from $200 per month to $250 per meeting (generally two a month) and a jump in pay for the mayor from $400 per month to $500 per meeting.
In the end, the council voted 5-2 against raising the current pay rate for board members and the mayor. Council members Garry Wilson, Ward 2, and Justin Neal, Ward 4, voted in favor of an increase.
Swearing in
As every position on the council was up for grabs on the April 2 ballot, a council-wide swearing-in ceremony was held. All members of the new council were sworn in with the exception of Darran Campbell, who was absent. The new Republic Council is Eric Gerke, Ward 1, who was also voted mayor pro-tempore; Garry Wilson, Ward 2; Christopher Updike, Ward 3; Justin Neal, Ward 4; Justin Shaw, Ward 1; Darran Campbell, Ward 2; Brian Fields Ward 3 and Daniel Harter, Ward 4. Eric Franklin was also sworn in as the new mayor.