Del City council denies rezoning for proposed asphalt plant at 901 N. Sooner Road after health, neighborhood concerns

Del City’s City Council on June 2, 2025 voted to deny a rezoning request that would have allowed an asphalt plant at 901 North Sooner Road, rejecting an ordinance to change the property to I‑2 Heavy Industrial (Ordinance No. 1444). The council also denied the related final plat (PCPLAT67525).

The outcome follows extensive discussion on health and neighborhood impacts. A councilmember who identified himself as Scott summarized federal health guidance and research on asphalt fumes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and said the proposed plant would sit near multiple residential areas and schools in Del City, Midwest City and Oklahoma City.

Scott said the plant would be within roughly a half‑mile of the Del Creek residential district and Cleveland Bailey Elementary School in Midwest City and within three‑quarters to one mile of other neighborhoods; he cited U.S. Environmental Protection Agency language on PAHs and referenced the National Library of Medicine, OSHA and NIOSH on potential respiratory and other health effects. “PAHs are naturally released in the environment … Man made sources of PAHs in the environment include the incomplete burning of organic materials such as oil, gas, wood, garbage, and vehicle exhaust, asphalt …” Scott said, quoting published agency material.

Why it matters: Council members framed the decision as one that affects neighboring jurisdictions as well as Del City residents. Council debate noted the plant’s proximity to schools and to residential streets including Kellsch Drive, Crest Place, Howard Drive, and neighborhoods north of Northeast Tenth and West of Sewell Road in Oklahoma City, and suggested the location raised cross‑jurisdictional concerns.

Councilman Finch recorded “no” when the council voted on the motion to approve the rezoning; Councilwoman Brown and Councilman Tatum also voted “no,” and the mayor voted “no,” defeating the motion to adopt the ordinance. Staff recommended denial of the final plat after the rezoning vote; the council then voted to deny the plat as well.

The denial means the applicant cannot use the I‑2 zoning or the final plat approval to proceed with the project as presented. The council’s discussion and the votes were contained in the June 2 city council meeting record.

Speakers cited in this item included Scott (who presented the health and proximity material), Councilman Dean, Councilwoman Finch, Councilwoman Brown, Councilman Tatum and Mayor Rhodes. The transcript also records planning staff and the city attorney on the record clarifying that the plat action was procedural and tied to the zoning determination.

The council did not adopt an alternate site or mitigation plan during the meeting, and no permit for the asphalt plant was approved as a result of these votes.