The Oklahoma State Capital

Stirring up yet a new round of controversy, Edmond citizens spoke out about the planned construction of a new Lowe's Home Improvement store to be located on the corner of Danforth and Kelly.

During the Monday night meeting of the Edmond City Council, the property owner of a 40 acre piece of ground located on the southwest corner of the intersection sought permission to amend the planned unit development and extend the General Commercial zone.

This is the first of at least three stages of development that the council must approve before this site becomes reality. The purposed plan calls for a Lowe's and a new shopping center located on the 40 acres that neighbors several area properties. These properties contain housing located in area housing additions. Owners of some of these properties spoke out against the purposed site.

Kenneth Gee expressed concerns about run-off. Gee says that following a rain storm between 6-10 inches of water flow over the only entrance/exit to the Swan Lake housing edition making it impossible for the residents to get out. Gee said that run-off from Food Lion and Meadowlake cause this problem and a detention pond should be installed on the 40 acres to prevent the flooding from occurring. Gee also said that the current 40 acres serves as a sponge to soak in the water. He fears that if a detention pond is not installed that more run-off will be created worsening the situation.

The area property owners also express concern that previous agreements (P.U.D's) by the owner of the 40 acres, Mr. David Christie of Overland Park Kansas, have been violated.

Leo Rand who owns area property indicated that he has concerns regarding the flow of traffic. Rand is a student who must leave 30-45 minutes early in order to get out in traffic. Rand fears that increased traffic because of the Lowe's and the Shopping Center will only aggravate this situation.

Norman Basset and Dan O'Neal spoke out about the matter. Basset owners 6 area properties and O'Neal called for a community connections meeting to discuss the matter.

Ward 1 Councilor Barry Rice said he would like to see more extensive landscaping, better buffering, and mounding at the purposed project. Rice indicated a desire to have a new Lowe's store but also expressed concern about the name of the purposed shopping center. Christy plans to name the shopping center after Oak Tree in order to entice business from residents of Oak Tree. Rice feels that this is repetitive and wants a new name for the shopping center.

Christie responded to the concerns by saying the landscaping would be stronger than what the city requires. He also stated that the Lowe's building would be alterable to Edmond's standards. Christie introduced Lowe's engineer, Mr. Lance Mills from Ozark Civil Engineering. Mills explained how the drainage system would work. This explanation seemed to satisfy the concerns of Kenneth Gee.

With a unanimous vote the councilors approved the new P.U.D. Most seemed anxious to discuss the concerns when the project come back to the council for approval at future stages of the project. These include the approval for the site plan and possibly for a special use permit.