Published: August 15, 2006 11:00 pm      

Utility problems plague East Edmond plan

EDMOND — Members of the Edmond Planning Commission got a first look at how development in East Edmond could appear in the next five years.

City Planner Bob Schiermeyer shared a sneak preview of what consultants will recommend to city officials in a November report. Schiermeyer said four issues will affect development in East Edmond: Drainage, water, sewer and electric services.

“Rural distribution will not provide enough water pressure for fire protection,” he said. “If we don’t start addressing the utility problems we’ll be spinning our wheels.”

Schiermeyer showed an area east of Post Road where city sewer lines end. He said a developer building in that area would have to bear 100 percent of the cost of transmission and distribution lines.

He said the City of Edmond has made no plans to extend its lines to that area.

Many of the recently developed additions in East Edmond are on 1.3-, 2- or 5-acre lots and that’s the attraction to homebuyers.

Edmond resident Gail Carr came to the meeting to hear what was being planned for the area of Edmond east of Interstate 35.

“It looks very complex,” she said. “I think we’re a typical Edmond neighbor who loves you but wants you to stay away.”

There currently are 46 neighborhood additions in East Edmond along with the Twelve Oaks restaurant, LifeChurch, Henderson Hills Baptist Church, Cross Timbers Municipal Complex, Boy’s Ranch, a transfer station and the Coffee Creek Wastewater Plant.

Lots vary in sizes with 498 of the 1.3-acre lots, 594 of the 2-acre lots and 182 of the 5-acre lots for an estimated population of 3,312 in East Edmond.

“This train is running down the track and someone with major money is going to build commercial there one day,” said Planning Commission Chairman LeRoy Cartwright.

“If only we had been looking at the zoning 20 years ago. We’re about five years too late.”

Edmond City Councilmembers will get a look at the future transect map during a special meeting Aug. 29.

(John A. Williams may be reached via e-mail at jwilliams@edmondsun.com.)