Should zoning laws in the community be changed to accommodate investors/ developers? Until issues like these become personal concerns, zoning laws sit in the background of many people’s minds.
The citizens of Madill in the neighborhoods on Oil Mill Hillhavefoundthemselvesin a crash course on their areas zoning ordinances. What developments are permitted by the current city laws on the land that is near their homes for future development?
A towering two-story apartment complex has been proposed to city council officials for Block 84, Lots 1-7. This proposal would require rezoning of the property from the current R2 zone to the requested R3 zone for that size of future developmental potential. Of course, like any other property owner, they are seeking to gain, whether it is money, housing or both.
However, what do neighbors stand to lose? How will it affect the homeowners surrounding this property on the map? Should certain spots in the community be subject to this kind of change to provide additional housing?
Zoning originated during the 1920’s in the United States. The concept began to grow rapidly when the U.S. Department of Commerce provided a model of zoning ordinance. These laws have been put into place to protect thehealth,safetyandwelfare of the public.
Originally, zoning regulations were aimed at bringing sunlight and fresh air circulation to New York tenements, making it easy to see how an overpopulated area can easily become congested. This eventually led to a lack of basic living essentials. The lawmakersofthepastworked diligently to zone cities in a way to avoid such issues for future generations.
Some of the major concerns from the residents on Oil Mill Hill range from pest and rodent increases in the area, noise pollution from future tenants, security, and privacy issues that could arise with this increase in population and enormous change to their lives. Madill resident Mark Dunlap lives in the Dunbar School house that sits adjacent to the land that is under possible rezoning and said the possibility of rezoning his neighborhood is unsettling.
“If I wanted the Big City life I wouldn’t have purchased a home in Madill,” Dunlap said. “The smalltown life is what my wife and I were looking for to raise our family. Its what we love. To even think of being center stage for a crowd that large is very unsettling. Our peace, our dreams, literally the world around us is changing at a rate that is disturbing to say the least.”
The amount of time for construction, noise, debris and heavy equipment used for the construction of the potential complex being built is also weighing heavily on the residents in the neighborhood.
The property located on the east side of the BNSF railroad switching station also raises concern for traffic issues. The ability to get to town for daily commute and fortheemergencyresponders who could potentially need access to the potential growth in population is a major concern for some residents.
To share concerns or support, there will be a public meeting held by The Madill Planning and Zoning Commission Thursday, August 22, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. in the Library Meeting Room located at 500 W. Overton to reviewandvoteoverrezoning property at 625 E Bird Street, Block 84, Lots 1-7.
Questions may be directed to Ken Smith, Madill Zoning Administrator at (580) 795-5333.