Rogers County approves rezoning for electrical contractor after hours of public concern from Swan’s Dairy neighbors
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Summary
After extended public comment focused on Swan’s Dairy, the Rogers County commissioners voted Jan. 8 to approve rezoning of a 2‑acre parcel on Highway 20 to C‑4 for an electrical contractor; opponents raised runoff, transformer oil and EMF concerns while the applicant said operations use only dry‑type transformers.
The Rogers County Board of County Commissioners voted Jan. 8 to approve a zoning change that will allow an electrical contractor to operate from a 2‑acre site at 13665 East Highway 20 in Claremore.
Planning staff described Case 2657 as a request to rezone the property from RS‑10/AR to C‑4 so the owner, identified on the agenda as Joe Duval, can establish an office‑warehouse for Duval Electric. Staff noted the site lies in a highway corridor designated for higher‑intensity commercial uses under the county comprehensive plan and that the ordinance requires an opaque 6–8 foot fence where commercial abuts residential or agricultural property.
During a lengthy public comment period, neighbors and stakeholders, including Diane Williamson of Swan’s Dairy and attorney Mac Greaver, objected to the rezoning. Christopher Teehee cited Oklahoma’s Right to Farm Act (Title 50, §22) and argued that placing a commercial service use next to an active dairy could introduce contamination risks, increase insurance and regulatory burdens, and constitute spot zoning. Other speakers raised concerns about stormwater runoff, the potential for transformer oil spills, electromagnetic fields (EMFs), and the risk that future owners could use the C‑4 zoning for more intensive industrial activity.
The applicant disputed those characterizations. Joe Duval told the board his company is an electrical service contractor with an office and warehouse and said ‘‘the only type of transformers that we deal with are dry type. They do not have oil.’’ Local contractors who spoke in support said the proposed use would be an office/warehouse and does not typically involve storing hazardous materials.
Commissioners asked staff and the public questions about permitted uses in C‑4 versus lesser commercial districts and emphasized that the comprehensive plan designates highway corridors for higher‑intensity uses. After deliberation, a motion to approve the rezoning carried. Commissioners said they found no evidence presented at the hearing showing the specific Duval business would cause undue harm to Swan’s Dairy.
The vote settles the zoning for the parcel; any future building permits and site‑level requirements (including screening) will be handled through planning staff and follow‑on approvals.