The City of Springfield has a number of Boards and Commissions in place to serve our community. Each of these Boards and Commissions are comprised of members appointed by the City Council to specific terms. These Boards and Commissions are expected to operate autonomously from the City Council in an effort to make Springfield a great place to live, work, and visit. If you have interest in serving on any of the following Boards or Commissions, please contact the City Clerk for an application.
Planning Commission
The Springfield Planning Commission meets on the last Monday of each month to review site plans, zoning compliance requests, and other development requests as per the City’s Zoning Ordinance. All requests for rezoning, site development, or other zoning/development inquiries should be addressed to the City’s Zoning Administrator for placement on the Planning Commission Agenda. The Planning Commission is comprised of eight members; current Commissioners are:
Richard Bauer, Chairman
Sue Anderson, Mayor
Carol Hinton
Art Hollingsworth
Maxine Morgan
Wesley Brandt
Doug Wright
Jim Wright
Zoning Board of Appeals
This Board hears property owner appeals from Planning Commission decisions
Cynthia Good, Chairman
Lori Church
David Rich
Sherrie Carr
Board of Review
The board meets in March to hear appeals on property taxes.
Sherrie Carr
Larry Eib
David Rich
Arnie Siegert
Cynthia Good
Income Tax Board of Review
The board meets in March to hear appeals on income taxes.
Carlene DeMaso
Marvin Ambs
Sue E. Campbell
Economic Development Corporation
Tax Increment Finance Authority
Brownfield Redevelopment Authority
The EDC, TIFA, and BRA are serviced by one Board. The EDC/TIFA/BRA Board consists of a number of local business owners and residents that are interested in promoting Springfield as an attractive place to invest in business and public infrastructure. With the overall broad goal of encouraging and facilitating economic development within the City of Springfield, this Board administers captured tax dollars for private and public projects, provides marketing efforts and investment incentives for potential developments, and assists in the redevelopment of contaminated and otherwise undevelopable sites. The City Manager serves as the administrative contact for this Board. Some recent economic development projects assisted by the EDC/TIFA/BRA Board:
1. Design and construction of the Springfield Farmers Market at Begg Park
2. Brownfield cleanup efforts at the Express Auto expansion site
3. Construction of the Helmer Farms Industrial Park
4. Brownfield cleanup at the new Springfield Do-It Center Hardware Store
5. Tax Credits and a PA 425 Agreement to facilitate the Henkel Chrysler-Jeep Expansion
6. Tax Credits and a PA 425 Agreement to Battle Creek Honda Expansion
7. Springfield Public Safety Building Expansion
8. Street Improvements in East Airport Industrial Area and the Springfield Market District
Neighborhood Improvement Incentive Board
The NII Board is in place to administer funds set aside by the EDC/TIFA/BRA Board to assist low income residents of Springfield with the completion of needed home improvement projects. The Board approves projects based upon a number of criteria, including total applicant assets, income, and demonstrated need. The program will pay up to 75% of a home improvement project, with a maximum benefit of $1,000. Please contact the City Manager for more information. The City of Springfield is interested in helping our residents enjoy a stable, safe home environment; we encourage those in need of assistance to utilize this great community benefit.
Tax Abatement Review Board
This Board is in place to review requests for tax abatements. In considering a request, the Board reviews the financial impact to the City, the overall investment, and overall job creation, and the overall impact on the community. The Board is comprised of the City Manager, Finance Director/Treasurer, Assessor, EDC Board Chairman, and one citizen at-large.
Magnificent Motor Mile Business Improvement District
The BID Board meets monthly to discuss improvements to the Magnificent Motor Mile on Dickman Road. This Board is comprised of business owners with a vested interest in the improvement of the Dickman Road corridor and representatives from the Cities of Springfield and Battle Creek. The Business Improvement District is a joint effort between the Cities of Springfield and Battle Creek, Battle Creek Unlimited, and the affected business owners. The existence of this BID is a testament to the desires of all entities involved to continue to invest in and improve upon the current infrastructure that services the Magnificent Motor Mile to ensure the viability of our local businesses.