Developers bring back plans for Edmond movie complex
EDMOND — National developers are back proposing a movie theater and two restaurants at the Shops at Spring Creek, despite opposition at a meeting Wednesday.
More than 20 citizens came out voicing their opinions against the sixacre development, which is only the first phase of development for the area, with 20 acres in the next phase.
“We need to know what the entire project is,” said Lydia Lee, an opposition leader. “This is going to be a massive project in Edmond.”
Residential living is not being proposed in the first phase, according to documents submitted by Randel Shadid, the attorney representing the developer.
Bob Rogers is the developer with Poag Shopping Centers based in Memphis, Tennessee.
A 41,120-square-foot seven-screen movie theater is being proposed, along with two restaurants south of the theater. The restaurants will include a green space between the two.
“It is more of an adult concept who want to enjoy their experience,” Rogers said about the movie theater to citizens at the Community Connection meeting Wednesday night.
The tenant of the theater has not been announced, but is currently not in Oklahoma, Rogers said. Alcohol and food are expected to be served at the theater.
Submitted documents are worded to allow for a grocery store as an alternative if the agreement with a movie theater company does not come through.
The restaurants on the west side of the development will be 2,040 square feet, with the east one being 4,020 square feet.
Parking requirements for the site have been met with 369 parking spots for the three buildings, Rogers said.
“What you are saying is trust me on this,” Lee said about parking at the proposed development.
The developer is also proposing that a traffic signal be added for an entryway into the development, including an entry sign lower than 12 feet tall dividing the lanes.
“It is so out of character with the development and the area,” Lee said.
The first phase of development will be before the Edmond Planning Commission at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 21 at the Edmond City Council Chambers. If it passes, then it will be at the Dec. 11 city council meeting.
“I believe phase two is the white elephant in the room,” said Beth Crounse, an Edmond resident who lives near the proposed development. “There is still a lot of traffic issues at this corner.”
Shadid said that he would submit the planning documents for phase two in the coming weeks, which is expected to be heard early next year.
Rogers declined an interview with The Oklahoman about the development, saying he would wait until after the planning commission meeting.
“I believe nobody creates a better product than us,” Rogers said.
The previous vote
On April 4, voters in Edmond voted down the city council’s decisions to amend the land use plan and rezone property north of 15th Street and Bryant Avenue.
However, the current development application is different and the vote does not apply.
Of total votes cast, 64 percent were no votes.
Only 35 percent of voters voted yes, which was in agreement with the council's action for the development to proceed.
“Our group of volunteers is very happy with the outcome of this election and relieved that the majority of the voters acted to protect this area of Edmond," Lee said after the election.
The opposition at the time came from the proposed apartments that were going to be built with the lifestyle center, along with additional traffic, parking and the loss of trees near E.C. Hafer Park.