Del City council members turned down a rezoning request Monday, Jan. 6 after more than 20 concerned citizens showed up to protest changing 401 S. Sooner Road from residential to commercial.

Proponents of the rezoning cited the city’s comprehensive plan to turn all of Sooner Road into commercial space as the basis for their request, they reported during the rezoning hearing.

Heather Hancock, an owner of the property in question, said she has redrawn plans in order to meet community requests that promise commercial property and office space with limited traffic.

"This rezoning would be light commercial, for example office, medical and light retail," she said.

Hancock then pointed out the problem with 401 S. Sooner, stating it "is the only lot from 4th to Reno that is not currently zoned commercial."

"As we stand today that vacant lot brings in no tax revenue for the city," Hancock said. "By passing this rezoning request, Del City will be able to move forward with its comprehensive plan for commercial development."

The property owners didn’t stop there, though. They then stated that all of the properties north of their location are already zoned as commercial despite currently being used as residential.

This was a fact that did not seem to faze residents who came to the meeting to oppose the rezoning.

Edward Mockabee, the first to speak out, made an emotional plea to the council.

"I built my house in ’97 and we moved in in ’99. That house was not on commercial property; it could not have been or you would not have given me a building permit," Mockabee said.

"The zoning map is in error. I want you to look at this and imagine it is your house. Would you want [a strip mall] built across from it that you would look at every day?"

While the city’s official zoning map confirms that every property north of 401 S. Sooner Road is zoned commercial, city officials have no answer for the zoning mix-up. They say despite a history of confusion related to the area, they have there even if the city's code does not allow it.

Heated talk

The meeting then got heated as more people stood to declare their uneasiness. After a personal attack on the parties seeking the rezoning, Mayor Brian Linley interjected.

"Speakers please note that we do want to stay on point for the record," the mayor said. "I do want to apologize for the personal attack that was a moment ago."

The majority of complaints centered on how the rezoning would cause a lowering of property value, an increase in crime and also cheapen the appearance of this area. The outspoken crowd also questioned the necessity of the location as they believe there are more than enough vacant commercial buildings elsewhere that could be used for this office space.

Larry Duncan, who was instrumental in gathering community opposition, touched on the safety issue he believed the rezoning would create.

"A strip mall moves in there and then people can loiter, they can park their cars and case us out as we leave our houses. Right now we keep an eye on things as best we can but with a strip mall there, we can’t do anything," Duncan said. "Its dangerous building a strip mall there… it’s just going to devastate our neighborhood."

At the end of the discussion, Mayor Linley asked for a show of hands for and against the proposal. Three people raised their hand for and over 20 opposed.

Due process

Prior to the council’s vote, Linley spoke on the duty he and the council has to their community. He mentioned that the council is in charge of moving the city forward commercially but they must do it tastefully and at the right time. He also reiterated that they have a duty to their citizens and to listen when there are complaints.

Throughout the rezoning process, 231 people have come forward to oppose the rezoning since it began in September 2013.

Ward 4 councilman Floyd A. Eason cited this statistic and then made a motion to not approve the rezoning of 401 S. Sooner Road.

The motion passed unanimously to the exited cheers of the gathered crowd.

Larry Duncan relayed fears that despite a decisive council vote this matter is not completely closed.

"It’s not over yet, [the property owner] is going to sue the city."