Plan could add six fraternity, sorority houses near MSU

A developer is in the early stages of a plan to bring more fraternity and sorority houses to central Springfield.

Burning Tree Consulting got initial approval from the Springfield Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday to alter the zoning of an area west of the Missouri State University campus.

The land, a stretch of duplexes and houses in the 800 block of South Robberson Avenue, is already zoned for housing, but requires a special "University Combining Overlay" to allow for the planned fraternity or sorority houses.

Kevin Hoffmeyer, an attorney representing Burning Tree, told the commission that Missouri State has supported the plan.

"Essentially, there are several fraternity houses along National Avenue that would be relocated to this redevelopment area," he said. "The university has indicated to the owner that sororities have approached them about expanding to this area. Currently, there's not enough sorority housing on campus or with the sorority houses around it."

The properties in question run from 814 to 850 S. Robberson Ave. It's an area south of Madison Street and north of Grand Street. The properties across the street on Robberson are apartments, and there is other student housing in the general area.

"The project is consistent with other student housing projects approved or constructed nearby within the last several years including The One House Development on the northeast corner of Madison Street and Jefferson Avenue and the Jefferson Avenue Apartments east of the subject property," a report from Springfield city staff says.

A document describing the company's plan says up to six, four-story buildings would be built, with up to 25 students in each.

"In addition to fraternity and sorority use, the Redevelopment Plan allows one or more of the buildings to be converted and used for multifamily residential housing if the developer is unable to lease one or more of the buildings to a fraternity or sorority," the document says.

Steve Stinnett, with Miller Commerce, said university officials have indicated there's a need for more Greek organization housing, especially for sororities.

"(University officials) were highly supportive of this project," he said. "It actually gives them more opportunity to bring more sororities into Missouri State University."

A redevelopment plan for the area has been pushed to a June meeting of the commission. That plan would seek a property tax abatement to redevelop the area.

Only one nearby property owner spoke at the commission meeting.

Walt Kernohan, who owns, but does not live at, the first property south of the proposed project, mostly questioned why the project wouldn't extend the entire block.

Tom Baird, chair of the planning and zoning commission, explained the developer can only rezone the property that he owns.