Edmond rejects rezoning for hotel proposal
EDMOND — After hours of debate, the Edmond City Council voted unanimously against the rezoning and possible development of two hotels along Interstate 35.
“We have a developer who has put a lot of lipstick on a pig, but the bottom line is that it is still a pig,” said community activist Lydia Lee, who is a representative from the Edmond Neighborhood Alliance.
“You have treated Fox Lake like a stepchild,” Lee said about the council.
In more than two and half hours of debate, about 75 neighbors of Fox Lake came to oppose the development, stating that it would only bring problems to the area, which is on the northwest corner of Fox Lake Lane and the I-35 Frontage Road.
When the 5-0 vote was taken, the only reaction was residents letting out gasps.
“I would have loved that this development come in with only one hotel,” said Councilman Darrell Davis. “I-35 is an economic generator here in Edmond.”
Now, the development of the hotels will not happen, according to Rick Brown, a representative with Champion Hotels.
“What is more important, the people who live here or those who are visiting?” Fox Lake resident Charles Zurmehly asked the council.
But another development is expected in the future, said property developer Jim Tapp, and now his firm is back to the drawing board.
“Our intent is to still develop the property,” Tapp said. “Our plan is to still develop great properties along I-35.”
The area for a city wellness park and trail connection to the Spring Creek Trail is now on hold, he said.
Three variances were being requested, including additional height to the building, a landscaping variance and a set back of the building off of Fox Lake Lane.
“It is way too much for that area, and I cannot support it,” Councilman Nick Massey said. “People in Fox Lake have probably suffered enough.”
Neighbors worried that those staying in the hotel could see into their backyards. The proposal called for a 10-foot variance to the height requirement, which is now at 45 feet.
“The property has very liberal zoning as it is,” Tapp said, which the council echoed during the meeting, and added that many things could be built there including light industrial.
“At some point there will be some development that will occur on this property,” said Mayor Charles Lamb.
To show that those staying in the hotel could not see the neighborhood, developers used a panoramic video from a drone to show what the view would have been, in which no houses could be seen.
“There is no reason for these variances,” said Planning Commission Chairman Barry Moore during the Jan. 16 meeting.
While developers had removed a small office that was planned to be built on the western side to allow a larger tree buffer, neighbors said it still was not enough.
Residents questioned whether the setback variance would have allowed for an appropriate collapse zone and if fire trucks could access the buildings properly.
Deputy Fire Chief Chris Denton said a collapse zone is not required and that having the buildings closer to the road would make it easier to fight a possible fire, but he noted it would be a rare event.