[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6574165,"mediaKeyId","3090981-c44fbe11ba8f9848d9e8332a526b3b83","parentId",3090981,"title","Votes at a glance: Lawton council approves zoning change, landfill fee changes, pet‑establishment licensing; CPI fee increase fails","audioSeconds",1344,"startMs",7702000,"endMs",9046000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3090981-c44fbe11ba8f9848d9e8332a526b3b83&start=7702&end=9046","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3090981-c44fbe11ba8f9848d9e8332a526b3b83/thumbnail_7702000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6574165/Oklahoma/Votes-at-a-glance-Lawton-council-approves-zoning-change-landfill-fee-changes-petestablishment-licensing-CPI-fee-increase-fails","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574165-e315935ee1da48f8e92ce39080e757a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190285&Signature=NAPFk0hxrJqMMFyT7hzKTBORMK8nf7Aftm4kBecRkEIRtNG86aTErpA8y91DnyoU6Okwz3QXstFsEX9OPR8rAbOyKsNNJWf2CCzo7W818q-ZmHJaNERG7cGTbtYsCKjdqMcYXOigoailj1bDf-MOklfv5PS31evm6bh23uK95-N0381-2S6uanW83tlLQjYNIfPc5jr0hK6SaJU2PVgeHXYf~wT8ZhGmYnweb7wbXh9lCaoygCIvF--9kbzimmbwP3a2wrRQVte6TwvrUONmcMUKEwI8oVGKZGAcaqDss-9QRjcHseb7B~yt4qmBglMarCdp20wxc7cQr-18b73HXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council Meetings","date","2025-04-23T02:17:43.247Z","article","The Lawton City Council approved a series of ordinances and resolutions at its regular meeting and took one notable vote to reject a fee increase proposal.

Key votes

- Rezoning at 1421 Northwest Great Plains Boulevard: Council approved changing the zoning from C‑1 (local commercial) to C‑5 (general commercial) to accommodate expanded liquor storage for Mark’s Corner LLC. Planning staff Cameron Good said the site plan requires no building changes; the Planning Commission recommended approval. Motion approved 7-0.

- Alley closures: Council approved two separate alley‑closure ordinances to close specified short sections of alley for public‑works projects (including one to allow construction of a drainage berm); both ordinances were approved 7-0 after public notice and hearings. One closure (a different alley item) drew a resident concern that closing the alley would limit local access; council voted 6-1 to leave that alley open after debate.

- Landfill fee ordinance and companion resolution: Council approved an ordinance eliminating certain exemptions and price reductions at the city landfill and formally adopting the state fee requirement (a $1.25/ton state fee) to ensure the city collects and remits the required amount; the ordinance passed 7-0. A companion resolution updating the city’s fee schedule to reflect the state fee and eliminate select exemptions also passed 7‑0.

- Commercial pet‑establishment licensing and fees: After staff reported complaints about unlicensed mobile groomers, council adopted an ordinance requiring annual licenses for commercial pet establishments (brick‑and‑mortar groomers, kennels not associated with a veterinary office, and mobile groomers). A companion resolution set initial fees at $100 for new licenses, $75 for renewals and a $50 annual fire marshal inspection fee; council approved both items 7-0. Staff said the fee will be brought through the fee committee for longer‑term review.

- Temporary six‑month reallocation of capital outlay fee revenue: To address an operating shortfall this fiscal year, the council voted to allow the city manager to use revenues collected via the existing capital outlay line on utility bills for general fund operations for six months (a temporary reallocation to bridge the budget until bond proceeds arrive). Council approved the moratorium/temporary reallocation 7-0; staff emphasized this is a time‑limited measure and not a rate increase.

- CPI‑based fee adjustment: A fee committee recommendation seeking a 12% consumer‑price‑index increase to many municipal fees (derived from cumulative CPI increases not previously applied) failed on a 3-4 vote after debate about impacts on seniors, small businesses and builders.

- Medical marijuana sales‑tax allocation: Council temporarily suspended the restriction that had limited how general sales tax revenue from medical marijuana could be used (the suspension runs 07/01/2025–06/30/2026) to give the city manager flexibility in a tight budget year; the item passed 7-0.

- Special‑permit notification for after‑hours work: Council adopted a narrow ordinance requiring staff notification within 24 hours and council notification at the next meeting when a special permit allows work outside normal hours (the change is intended to increase transparency after resident complaints about after‑hours heavy equipment). The ordinance passed 7‑0.

Context and council discussion

Staff and council members repeatedly framed the landfill changes as necessary to ensure the city remits the state landfill fee and avoids a growing shortfall; Finance and utilities staff said past collections were insufficient to cover the state obligation. Supporters of the CPI adjustment argued the city had left increases undone for several years and the 12% figure reflected cumulative CPI changes; opponents cited the regressive impacts on low‑income households and small local businesses and successfully blocked that proposal. The temporary capital outlay reallocation drew questions about fiscal policy but passed on a unanimous vote after staff described the shortfall and planned mitigation once bond proceeds are received.

What this means

- Developers and businesses: Rezoning approval permits the property owner to expand liquor‑related storage operations; businesses operating in city right‑of‑way or seeking permits should expect consistent application of sales‑tax and licensing requirements going forward.
- Residents: Landfill users will see more uniform application of fees (including the state fee) and fewer wholesale exemptions; pet groomers and mobile groomers will need to obtain city licenses and inspections.
- City finances: The city temporarily freed a revenue stream and adjusted fee policy to address a near‑term budget gap; council rejected a broader across‑the‑board fee adjustment (CPI) after weighing community impact.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 22, 2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved a string of ordinances and resolutions — including a commercial rezoning, landfill fee changes, a new pet‑establishment licensing requirement, and a temporary reallocation of capital outlay fee revenue — and rejected a proposed 12% CPI fee increase.","taxTitle","City Council Meetings, Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma","taxId",69683,"location","Oklahoma","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6574168,"Lawton council declares dozens of properties dilapidated, grants limited time for repairs",4497,1099000,5596000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3090981-c44fbe11ba8f9848d9e8332a526b3b83&start=1099&end=5596","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3090981-c44fbe11ba8f9848d9e8332a526b3b83/thumbnail_1099000.jpg","/articles/6574168/Oklahoma/Lawton-council-declares-dozens-of-properties-dilapidated-grants-limited-time-for-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574168-9ed0b4a12cfa62fad0594f701a950cfa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190285&Signature=d1aErQl7WJHwgwbBpt1jTMrEexTAKz7dHigl3sdyVUXXseGAeB1YCB~P9fmGuwzNr4UyGZjLO3K-aRRH9jQy6YFY~TQuFGjniV9e1sHAPqd7MahYHb7ZmDCW143SfpkxSDu~0WAT1uTNVkV3h~taLI81ZF68gfe-qmAIzwNSGDCyyQos3LwIbQbpqA4bPBiCKeYt2aUGzh1vpONRtxizk2lPva6O4iO6v0YfXGdPdRhTz64XEpoaSUcLLF0vDlewBa44vjHMNxqrDx9qWozUp6-EyC8Nz5Y9JEusSgI4ukY3Ae2LYHVz9t8xlW61kp5B9OlvJ21qhWYnEMiirD6y7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawton City Council held a special meeting to consider more than two dozen properties for formal declarations of dilapidation under Lawton City Code §6-5-1 and to authorize abatement or other enforcement steps.

Council approved resolutions finding most of the properties — including 4006 Northwest Meadowbrook Drive, 406 Northwest Sixth Street, 601 Northwest Dearborn Avenue, 1406 Northwest Lawton Avenue, 14203 Northwest Osmond Avenue, 1711 and 1715 Northwest Kingsbury Avenue, 2002 Northwest Nineteenth Street and many others — to be dilapidated and authorized abatement measures or summary abatement where required. Most individual motions passed by roll call votes of 7-0.

City staff said typical conditions included extensive fire damage, broken windows and doors, missing or damaged siding and roofing, interior damage and recurring reports of vagrancy. In several cases owners or representatives said they planned repairs and asked for time to pull permits. Jason Cochran, who spoke during the hearing on 4006 Northwest Meadowbrook Drive, said he had given information to his insurer and asked to \"pull the roofing permit on it to take the roof off\" while the insurance claim proceeded.

Council frequently offered owners the chance to pull building permits and complete work rather than to proceed immediately with demolition. For example, after discussion the council approved a 90‑day permit extension for 4006 Northwest Meadowbrook Drive (motion passed 7-0) so the owner could remove roofing and pursue repairs. At 406 Northwest Sixth Street and other addresses staff confirmed active or recently issued building permits and in some cases the council tabled formal abatement until permits were in force (for instance, action on 1406 Northwest Lawton Avenue was tabled until the permit’s active period ends in July).

Several owners described difficulties that have slowed repairs: Anthony West said his 2512 Northwest Nineteenth Street property is held in a trust and he had been unable to transfer it; another owner said demolition by the city would be assessed as a lien against the parcel if the owner does not act. City staff told multiple owners the estimated municipal cost to demolish a structure is roughly $4,000–$5,000 and that cost would be placed on the tax rolls. Patrick Heard and others told the council they had active permits and plans for siding and interior work.

Where owners could not show imminent progress or funding, the council approved resolutions authorizing abatement. For properties with ongoing remediation or active permits, council members favored giving time for owners to follow through with repairs and to coordinate with city inspectors. Carrie Stemwall, speaking about 1711 Northwest Kingsbury Avenue and adjacent properties she is rehabbing, urged the council not to place her property on the city's demolition list while work is underway; council members agreed to continue that matter and grant additional time to pull permits.

The council repeatedly advised owners to coordinate directly with city staff for permit requirements and inspections. Staff described a standard process in which a repair or demolition permit is reviewed and, if work is under way and progress is evident, a property can remain off the city’s demolition list. If owners do not pull permits or complete repairs the city may remove a structure and place the cleanup cost as a lien on the parcel.

The meeting record shows numerous separate, individual votes. Most motions to declare dwellings dilapidated and to authorize abatement passed 7-0. A small number of items were continued or tabled to allow owners with active permits or documented plans additional time.

What’s next: Owners who were granted time must work with city staff to obtain and document permits and to demonstrate progress at periodic inspections; properties with no active remediation plans are now subject to city abatement procedures and possible demolition with cost recovery via lien.","The Lawton City Council held a special meeting to declare numerous structures dilapidated under city code §6-5-1 and authorized abatement or short repair periods for owners seeking to make fixes.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: Lawton council approves zoning change, landfill fee changes, pet‑establishment licensing; CPI fee increase fails

Lawton council declares dozens of properties dilapidated, grants limited time for repairs