Rejection of Chesapeake Zoning Bid Seen As ‘Turning Point’
Chesapeake Energy rezoning bid rejected By William Crum
The Oklahoma City Council on Tuesday denied Chesapeake Energy’s bid to convert a residential lot to business use, a decision Councilman Ed Shadid characterized as a “turning point” in efforts to preserve residential neighborhoods in northwest Oklahoma City.
Chesapeake owns commercial property wrapping around the corner of NW 50 and Western Avenue. It wanted to expand parking onto its adjacent residential lot at 1009 NW 49.
Chesapeake tore down “a perfectly viable home” there, said JoEllen Aaron, who lives down the street.
The vote was 7-1 to deny the request. Councilman Larry McAtee opposed the motion. Mayor Mick Cornett had stepped away before the request came up and returned after the vote.