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Council rejects key rezoning ordinance for Lawton View duplexes after public concern about affordability and property offers
Summary
Council discussed developer requests to rezone parts of Lawton View from R-1 to R-2 for duplex construction. Planning Commission recommended approval, but the ordinance failed to gain the five affirmative votes required; councilors cited concerns from residents about rents and low purchase offers to longtime owners.
The Lawton City Council on Oct. 25 considered a private developer’s request to rezone tracts in the Lawton View Addition from R‑1 (single family) to R‑2 (two-family) to allow duplex construction. Planning staff told council the site plan is binding and the city planning commission recommended approval by a 7–0 vote.
At the public hearing several neighbors questioned pricing and who would be served by the new duplexes. Garland Russell of Longview said the proposed rents he had been told — $1,200 for a one-bedroom and $1,400 for a two-bedroom — appeared out of reach for many longtime area residents. Timothy Loftus said property owners in his neighborhood were being offered amounts he described as inadequate for long-held family lots.
Council debate balanced those neighborhood concerns against the city’s desire to encourage economic development and infill housing. One council member noted that changing zoning to R‑2 preserves all single‑family uses allowed under R‑1 while permitting duplexes on the parcels the developer owns.
A motion to adopt the ordinance changing zoning failed because the ordinance required five affirmative votes and did not reach that threshold. A subsequent, related rezoning request for a nearby block was also debated and procedural attempts to table the matter for more information did not succeed.
Quotes
"Are they built for the constituents that live in Longview area?" Garland Russell asked during public comment.
"I just feel like they're not paying these people the money that the properties are worth," Timothy Loftus said of offers made to long-time owners.
Ending
The developer’s rezoning proposal will not proceed today; the council either rejected or failed to advance the ordinance for lack of the required affirmative votes. Staff noted the matter had previously been heard by the planning commission and additional public hearings would be required before the item could return.
