Serine
The Edmond City Council has voted 4-1 to deny a proposed Walmart development planned for the intersection of Covell Road and Coltrane Road.
The decision follows widespread community opposition, including concerns over traffic, aesthetics, property impact, and non-compliance with city code.
Residents Voice Strong Concerns
Local homeowners raised several issues, prompting a petition that gathered over 800 signatures opposing the project.
Matt Farley, whose home backs directly onto the proposed development site, shared photos from his second-story window, demonstrating how close his property is to the construction area. He cited Edmond’s city code, which states that flat roofs must not be visible from adjacent properties, as a key reason for objection.
“It’s explicit that flat roofs shall not be visible from the adjacent property,” Farley said at the council meeting.
Homeowners Association Speaks Out
Barry Black, President of the Ashford Oaks Homeowners Association, also raised concerns about the lack of a property buffer, particularly for residents bordering the proposed Walmart location.
“We talked with a homeowner to the north who confirmed there is no buffer on his property,” Black noted. “The buffer must come from the Walmart side.”
Developer Claims Full Compliance
Despite these concerns, Todd McGuiness, legal counsel for the developer, insisted that all city requirements have been met. He challenged the council to identify any aspect in which the proposal was non-compliant.
“We are asking you, how are we not compliant? The senior staff has said we are, and no one has verbalized otherwise,” McGuiness argued.
Supporters Still Believe in the Project
While the opposition was vocal, not all residents were against the new Walmart. Edmond resident Bryce Page voiced support, stating that the development appeared to follow all city regulations.
“It seems to me they’re following the rules, and it’s the city’s responsibility to uphold that,” Page said.
City Council Upholds Initial Denial
The project had already been rejected once in June, and on Monday, the council officially denied the appeal filed by Walmart advocates. The decision reflects the council’s alignment with community sentiment and concern over long-term impact on local neighborhoods.
The rejection of the Walmart proposal at Covell and Coltrane represents a decisive move by the Edmond City Council to prioritize community input, neighborhood integrity, and zoning compliance.
While developers maintain that all criteria were met, the outcome underscores how resident advocacy and local ordinances continue to shape the city’s future growth and development.