Commission recommends city council approve rezoning for proposed animal-welfare site near airport

The Stillwater Planning Commission on Jan. 7 unanimously recommended City Council approve a map amendment to rezone a portion of property near the airport to Public so the city may pursue locating a new animal-welfare facility there.

Diana, planning staff, described MA20-417 as a request to rezone a square portion of land at 2020 West Airport Road (also addressed as 3111 North Hargis Road) from Light Industrial to Public for a proposed animal-welfare facility. Kelly Reed, Stillwater Regional Airport director, told the commission the airport supports the proposed use and that the Federal Aviation Administration has approved the proposed use at that location.

Several members of the public raised questions during the public hearing. Gary Cotton Gym, a resident at 1215 West Osage Drive, asked whether staff or the city had done studies on potential noise or odor impacts. Tom Houston, a property owner at 35 Liberty Circle, raised long-standing drainage concerns tied to an existing berm and asked how the project would address runoff and erosion that have affected nearby yards in heavy rains.

David Barth, development services, said no formal odor or noise studies had been completed at this stage because the item before the commission was a map amendment only. Barth said drainage and runoff would be evaluated during subsequent permitting and engineering review, including building-permit and ODEQ (state) requirements. "A drainage study would be done, and drainage plan — those things typically don't come before the planning commission," Barth said.

Commission discussion noted the parcel is adjacent to other public land, providing some buffer from residential properties. The motion before the commission was to accept staff findings and recommend City Council approve the rezoning as presented; the motion passed 5-0.

Staff advised that any future development would still be subject to the city's engineering and building standards and state environmental controls during the permitting phase. The commission’s action was a recommendation to council; final approval and any required voter authorization or council decisions would occur in subsequent steps.