Edmond neighbors fault fifth zoning extension

EDMOND — The city council approved a zoning extension this week that could pave the way for a controversial Walmart, but save the city from another costly legal battle.

“I have really struggled with this development,” Councilman Nick Massey said. “The real battle will be at the site plan review.”

Neighbors around Covell and Coltrane roads are not happy about the prospect of Walmart building near their homes and objected to the zoning extension of the northwest corner where the roads intersect.

“Extending this PUD (Planned Unit Development) is like writing the developer a blank check,” said Ed Moore, head of the Edmond Neighborhood Alliance.

Councilmembers Massey and Elizabeth Waner voiced their objections to the extension but voted in favor.

Only Councilwoman Victoria Caldwell voted against the zoning extension after seconding the motion to extend the zoning.

The zoning extension does not immediately allow for construction of any development to begin, but neighbors believe it is a huge step in favor of the owners of the property.

This is the fifth extension of the 1990 zoning on the property, which sits on a two-lane road that city officials hope to one day expand.

Recalling the first time the zoning was approved, Waner said they never knew what this type of zoning could bring about.

She said she does not have much confidence in the review process for zoning.

Covell Creek LLC is the developer of the property, and local Realtor Kevin McCaleb is selling the property, which is valued at $1.5 million.

“He bought the commercial property at a commercial price,” said David Box, an Oklahoma City attorney who is representing Covell Creek LLC.

Walmart officials did not respond to The Oklahoman for comment on whether it still is interested in developing on the property.

Barry Black, leader of a group of Asheforde Oaks homeowners against the proposal, was unable to be at the meeting but had resident Matt McLean read a prepared statement.

“Fear of potential litigation is not a good reason to make the same mistakes that brought us to this point,” Black wrote in the statement.

“Taking action in good faith within the scope of your authority will provide a new start for all parties involved,” he wrote.

In December, the planning commission had a split decision on whether to recommend the development to the city council.

“If denying the request were never a real option, then all the prior public hearings to discuss and consider the request to renew it were just a show,” Black wrote.

Black had wished that the city would scrap the current zoning and start fresh.

Over 2 ½ years, the city has fought a Walmart development by taking the developer to court, but in the end, lost an appeal to the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

“Rubberstamping this PUD yet again will ignore the lessons we’ve recently learned,” Black wrote.