Edmond planners don't recommend permit for Walmart market

People filled the city council chambers and the lobby, while another 130 people watched from an overflow room across the street at the Downtown Community Center. Some carried signs with frowning “smiley” faces and anti-Wal-Mart messages.

They had petitions with signatures of 233 people who protestors said could not be at the meeting.

Opponents clapped and smiled as the planning commissioners voted 4-to-1 to reject and deny the application that would have recommended allowing a special use permit to build the market on the northwest corner of Coffee Creek Road and Kelly Avenue. Commissioner Mark Hoose cast the only no vote.

City council members will make a final decision on the application at a meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday at 20 S Littler Ave.

The 41,179-square-foot neighborhood market is proposed to be built on 5.52 acres of land.

Belmont Farms and Hunter's Creek housing additions and the Coffee Creek Golf Course and Clubhouse are on the other three corners of intersection of Coffee Creek Road and Kelly Avenue.

Property owners in the area said the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market did not fit the harmony of area. They also were concerned about the traffic, the pharmacy drive-thru and the store being open 24 hours a day.