King’s Cross Presbyterian Church will relocate to the former Clary Fields Golf Course clubhouse at 9999 South 49th West Avenue. The property, located east of 49th West Avenue just north of the Creek Turnpike, is owned by Rockwall Bluestar OK, LLC, and will be rented by the Church.
Though the Church has plans to buy a piece of the property, Urban Development Director Nikki Howard says that this application was requested because the organization needed more space, quickly, as they have outgrown their space at the old Goldie’s restaurant on Highway 66, and that approval was needed to rezone the property from agricultural to allow the church to operate there.
The new location will provide plenty of parking for the congregation, and the church will make sure the building is well maintained and attractive. It will primarily be used on Sundays and limited times during the week, mostly in the evenings, and almost always inside.
They also plan to establish a playground for church and neighboring children’s use. The application says the church will be a “quiet and peaceful neighbor…and a safe place for children or anyone else in need.” The church also says its “presence will be conducive to any development of the old golf course area and will serve as an anchor for the community.”
On May 4th the Sapulpa Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the application to City Council.
At the regular City Council meeting on Monday evening, Councilor Richard Hudson asked, “What will happen to the golf course surrounding the clubhouse?” Howard said that she was unaware of any current plans for the greens, but that this Special Use permit only affects the structure the church will occupy and its parking lot.
Former Mayor and church elder Doug Haught was in attendance to represent the church and to answer any questions from the council, but the application was approved unanimously and quickly.
A new medical marijuana dispensary application that passed Planning Commission on the 4th failed to move forward at Monday night’s City Council meeting.
Applicant Tim Grant intended to construct a commercial building at 202 North Hickory Street, on the corner of Hickory and Johnson, to be used as a medical marijuana dispensary. He said that the lot, which he has owned for 12 years, is vacant and abuts the railroad tracks. He said he’s been approached several times by people wanting to operate a dispensary, and that as it is already zoned commercial, he felt that this would be a good investment.
Staff recommended approval, and the Planning Commission passed it 5-1. The “no” vote arose from Planning Commissioner Carla Stinnett’s concerns about approving an SUP for a structure yet-to-be constructed, which is an unusual occurrence.
On Monday night, Ward 2 Councilor Brian Stephens asked Howard for clarification on the location, and said, “There’s a church right there, and apartments.” Howard confirmed that this was the case.
Vice Mayor Carla Gunn questioned Grant about his motivation for the project, saying “A year and a half ago you were upset about [the Booker T. Washington Recreation Center improvement project]…the citizens spoke. We are about to have an $8.5M facility [filled] with kids and different events…you think a marijuana dispensary here would benefit the community?”
Grant echoed what he said at Planning Commission, and also said that his project would prevent the lot from being vacant.
Gunn said, “It’s not quite a block from a church. You could put in an Airbnb, a restaurant, so many other things.”
This was unanimously denied by the Council.
An increase to the budget was approved to recognize a $1,037 donation to the Animal Shelter for veterinary services. Several animals at the Shelter need health certificates, vaccines, or tests in order to be adopted. These funds will pay a veterinarian to perform these services.
