By Stacy Martin, The Metropolis Sentinel
Hundreds of Edmond residents oppose two proposed developments of their metropolis – an residence complicated at I-35 and Memorial and a 22 acre, mixed-use growth adjoining to Hafer Park.
Their complaints embody poor infrastructure planning, college overcrowding, visitors issues, crime and different complications.
Matt Thomas, a civil litigator, signed the residents’ referendum petition concerning the event close to Hafer Park, saying it “simply isn’t match” for that location. He additionally signed one in opposition to the I-35 and Memorial challenge. He mentioned not solely are Edmond’s elected officers wrongly ignoring the overwhelming tide of opposition, they shouldn’t be deciding the problems in any respect. Two Edmond Metropolis Councilors are in the actual property enterprise, together with David Chapman and Josh Moore, and that troubles Thomas.
“I don’t consider builders needs to be regulating developments,” he mentioned.” I don’t suspect or have any proof of wrongdoing. I simply assume there’s an inherent battle of curiosity. Personally, I’m not OK with it.”
His place is nothing new; Thomas was a candidate for metropolis council in 2019. When he was operating for workplace, he opposed having builders on the town council.
Paula Burkes wrote in a Fb put up in mid-July “Case and Associates and Sooner Investments are bullying petitioners who signed referendums to roll again the rezoning at I-35/Memorial and Hafer park. That’s known as voter intimidation, overreach and invasion of privateness.”
Edmond resident Laura Martin mentioned that she acquired a name from a Tulsa quantity, which is the place Case and Associates relies. The younger woman recognized herself then requested Martin if she signed the I-35/Memorial growth petition in error, complicated it with the Hafer Park proposal.
I advised her I signed each of them,” Martin mentioned. “I thought of it voter intimidation.”
Residents are additionally upset as a result of builders have invaded their privateness.
Judy Pike was one of many individuals contacted by Sooner Investments, which at the moment owns the Hafer land.
“I didn’t reply the cellphone however I obtained a voicemail and I used to be extraordinarily upset as a result of it was my cellphone quantity and I don’t give out my cellphone quantity to unknown people or unknown companies,” Pike mentioned in a message to The Metropolis Sentinel.
One other resident who declined to be recognized mentioned Edmond residence complexes are likely to develop into crime magnets for drug sellers and different lawbreakers,
Patrice Douglas is an legal professional who was employed by Edmond’s Tall Oaks IV neighborhood, whose residents stay close to the I-35 and Memorial challenge. She mentioned they consider there’s a air pollution downside on the location of that challenge. Moreover, the I-35 Service Highway dead-ends at Memorial close to the realm. College overcrowding can also be a priority.
Douglas, who was mayor of Edmond from 2009 to 2011, took their issues to the Edmond Planning Fee and misplaced. She took it to the Metropolis Council and misplaced there as nicely. Lastly, they mounted a drive to get a petition signed and succeeded in getting the required signatures.
Now that has been threatened by Case and Associates legal professional Todd McKinnis’ lawsuit protesting the residents’ referendum petition, alleging voters have been confused between the I-35 challenge and the Hafer Park Challenge.
“I’m saddened that this motion was taken and it’s making an attempt to forged a adverse cloud over what the 4,200 residents need. It says on the high of the (signature) web page what it’s for. I suppose he’s accusing the residents of Edmond of not with the ability to learn,’’ Douglas mentioned.
Brenda Barwick, who has lived in Edmond for over 10 years, opposes the Hafer Park growth.
“Have these individuals ever pushed on Bryant at any time of day?” she mentioned. “They do growth first, then infrastructure as an after-thought. It’s only a poor strategy to planning the way you wish to develop and develop a metropolis. Edmond all the time places the cart earlier than the horse.”
For example of poor planning, Barwick cited the abundance of two-lane roads with no shoulders throughout the town. Residents have nowhere to tug over safely if they’ve a flat or different automobile challenge. Walkers, joggers and bikers take their lives into their arms when taking these roads, she mentioned.
Barwick lives in a house on 2.5 acres a mile east of I-35. She travels the outskirts of Edmond when going dwelling, avoiding the town’s many two-lane roads and the congestion within the hall close to Hafer.
One other resident who requested to not be recognized mentioned she signed each petitions opposing the proposed initiatives.
She mentioned she believes the residence complicated on I-35 would lead to visitors issues, college overcrowding and noise air pollution. She lives about three miles north.
In regards to the Hafer growth, she is in opposition, saying “It’s attractive and I don’t need it disturbed. We frequent that park.”
She mentioned she was known as by Case and Associates, however didn’t really feel bullied or intimidated by the questions the caller requested.
Beth Crounse mentioned she performed a lead function within the Hafer residents’ referendum petition, however signed the I-35/Memorial one as nicely.
“We had individuals come out in droves,” she mentioned. “I can’t let you know how many individuals thought their voices weren’t being heard. There’s numerous concern in regards to the growth that’s happening within the metropolis of Edmond proper now.
“Abruptly there’s some individuals on this metropolis that appear to not need individuals to vote. I don’t know why you’ll be afraid, why wouldn’t you need residents of the city which might be going to stay with no matter challenge it’s, why wouldn’t you need them to have a say in it? I feel the individuals on the council in Edmond overlook they’re elected to take heed to individuals.”
