Last Updated on August 8, 2023, 8:52 PM | Published: August 8, 2023
MOORE, Okla — The Moore City Council heard some impassioned pleas from residents Monday against rezoning one area they feared could light up their residential area “like a Christmas tree.”
And, with far less controversy, the Council also set a general obligation (GO) bond election which will fund significant roadwork around the city.
GO bond election
The Council approved a GO bond election slated for November 14th, not to exceed $49,390,000.
City manager Brooks Mitchell stated that the City’s pledge is to stay within the millage rate of 16.5 mills, which matches the ‘21 GO bond election.
The sum will provide the Moore municipal government funds for constructing, reconstructing, improving, or repairing streets or bridges around the city.
The council has discussed the idea in previous meetings, and a public meeting was held last month to discuss the projects.
Moore’s last GO bond election went well for the city, with both the new animal shelter and street improvement projects receiving nearly 70% approval.
Rezoning application resistance
The Moore city council heard a rezoning application that sturred up some resistance from residents.
The proposed zone change was of an area north of SW 4th Street and west of Classen Avenue, just across the street from OnCue. It looked to change a two-family dwelling district to a PUD Office district.
The initial application passed the planning commission by a slim 5-4 margin, which is quite rare.
Several residents who live in the neighborhood rose to speak to the council.
They focused on the issues they have with the existing OnCue, explaining that the glow from the gas station is bright enough to “land a plane there” and lights up the neighborhood “like a Christmas tree.”
Residents were afraid that this new office zone could lead to similar issues as the plan included an LED sign.
Traffic was another concern, as the introduction of an office at that intersection would only aggravate the alleged dangerous traffic conditions caused by OnCue.
“One more place is going to overburden us,” argued the neighbors.
Owner tries to ease fears
Chase Grant, the applicant and owner of the property attended to comment and alleviate concerns to the council.
He explained that the home in question of the rezoning application was his grandparents, and he plans to run his law practice out of it if the application is accepted.
Grant agreed that an OnCue built in the area has caused issues with light, trash, and traffic.
But, he asserted that his practice would not contribute in the way that residents thought. His office would receive a very limited number of clients, he would have landscaped trees as a barrier between the closest houses, and he would remove the LED sign from his plans if necessary.
After hearing from residents and the applicant, the council was clearly hesitant to approve the rezoning application but understood that the owner was making a good-faith effort to cooperate.
All council members but Mark Hamm of Ward 2 voted for the rezoning application with the stipulation that there not be an LED sign included.
Damian Powell is our government reporter for the smaller municipalities in the OKC metro such as Moore, Norman, Bethany, and Warr Acres. Damian is studying Political Science at the University of Oklahoma.
