The Oklahoma State Capital

According to Edmond City councilman Steve Knox, it is time for Edmond site plan ordinances to be updated.

At the Oct. 9 City Council Meeting, Knox said the ordinances which were written "some time ago," have served the city well, but are not tailored to deal with the big building developments which have recently affected the Edmond area.

"The ordinances were written before TG&Y and the big grocery stores came to town," Knox said. "They have been updated twice, but can be better." Knox indicated that he thought the current ordinances needed fine tuning in order to get the kind of development wanted in the community. "The clearer the ordinances," Knox said, "the more on all sides would know what to expect."

Edmond Mayor Rudkin agreed with Knox on the need for review. "We want to protect our community and keep it moving the right way, aesthetically and every other way," Rudkin said.

Councilmen Gary Moore and Barry Rice also commented on the subject, with Moore saying the current site plan ordinances were too subjective. Councilman Rice said he had been on the internet to order site plan ordinances from other cities. "We are probably going to have to look at a consultant to see what is needed," Rice said, indicating that the goal was a "level playing field for all developers."

In other discussion, Ronnie Williams, of Edmond Neighborhood Alliance, voiced concern about changes to the flood plan ordinance. He addressed his concern specifically to Knox, who along with Councilman Huggins and three other citizens, serve on the Stormwater Advisory Board.

Knox assured Williams that the Edmond flood plan ordinances were much more restrictive than those of other communities. Knox said that over the last year, the staff was asked to make modifications in the ordinances, and that the modifications recommended would come before the council for consideration.

Williams asked for more "light and input" on the proposed changes, stating that he had no flood insurance.

Knox addressed the issue in a general fashion, finally responding to William's persistent concern by saying, "If you had come to the meeting, you would have heard this discussion. Light was shed the other day and nobody came." Knox indicated that the matter would eventually come before the council.

The meeting concluded with a lighthearted quip from Councilman Rice, who, apparently in view of current dry conditions, commented that "It doesn't matter any more Ronnie. It's not raining."