Edmond panel approves rezoning
EDMOND — The city council is expected to give fast track consideration Monday to rezoning the former Coffee Creek Golf Course, after the planning commission gave its overwhelming endorsement.
After hours of debate on Tuesday night, the commission voted 3-1 for rezoning the golf course. Now the rezoning will be rushed to Monday night’s city council meeting for a final vote, which is not normal procedure as most items are delayed by one city council meeting.
“Coffee Creek is not sacred ground,” said Barry Moore, chairman of the planning commission. “It’s more important than that. It is your home.”
Moore voted against the rezoning. Commissioner Mark Hoose abstained.
This is the first commission to vote on rezoning the golf course, which was sold in January 2017 and has been the source of heated debate since.
Developers are hoping to get it approved quickly to move forward on a site plan.
Under current zoning, up to 392 homes can be built on 91 acres of the former 189-acre golf course.
The developer, Kyle Copeland, plans to build 250 homes in the area. However, 56 of those on the south side can’t be developed because there is no access to Kelly Avenue.
Many residents are concerned about the drainage in the new development. Engineers said that a planned drainage pond will stop any new runoff.
There will be a 35-foot green buffer between new and older development along with a seven-foot wall between a portion of new development.
Since the last meeting at the planning commission, the developer has agreed to add two miles of walking trails, picnic benches across the floodplain and a playground.
Tonya Coffman, homeowners association president and a leading opponent of the development, said that neighborhood already had those amenities.
The homeowner’s association filed a lawsuit in August against the developer and a judge is expected to rule later this month on whether to dismiss the case.
“The common understanding is it was going to be a golf course forever and ever,” said resident Dennis Arrow. However, he said that it was never explicitly written down.
Copeland, who was not at the meeting, said he is hoping to begin construction later this year. However, multiple homeowners are looking to challenge the changes if the city council approves it.
“I look forward to the fight to come,” said resident Harry Stahel Jr.