Woodward, Okla. — The Woodward County Commission meeting had to be moved to a larger room in the courthouse Monday morning after a large crowd gathered for a public hearing.

The hearing was held to discuss a request from Justin Howard to rezone some property north of Woodward in the NW/4 of Section 18-T23N-R20W, from agricultural to commercial for use as an RV park.

Howard was on hand to explain his request, saying he wants to put in an 11-spot RV area along with 5 cabins similar to those at Boiling Springs State Park.

"I've talked to my direct neighbors and I feel that it is a legitimate use of my land," he said.

However, there were several concerned citizens who attended Monday's meeting to protest the rezoning.

Dick Lodes presented a petition to the commissioners with 30 signatures.

Speaking on behalf of other protestors, Lodes said their main objects to the rezoning were over concerns that multiple-dwelling complex such as an RV park would reduce neighboring property values, contaminate the water supply, and that the area might become a dumping ground for old, abandoned trailers when the oil boom is over.

Howard said he understood the public's concerns, and tried to address a few of them.

As far as water contamination issues, Howard said he planned to install 2 separate 1,000 gallon septic tanks, one for the RVs to use and one for the cabins.

When an issue of soil erosion was brought up, he said that he planned to try to keep as many of the trees on the property as possible to help avoid erosion problems.

"I want to keep demolition at a minimum," Howard said.

Others were concerned that if Howard were to sell the property, the new owners could turn it into some other type of comercial venue.

Betty Ward said, "We have invested in over 30 years in our homes and would like to keep the value of our homes for when we might sell one day."

After hearing all of the public's concerns, the commissioners closed the hearing and voted to decline the re-zoning of Howard's land.  However, the commissioners said their main reason for rejecting the rezoning was due concerns over erosion.



POSSIBLE NEW FAIR BARNS

Also on Monday, county commissioners heard from the Woodward Chamber of Commerce about possible improvements to the fairgrounds.

The Chamber has put together a task force to look into what it would take to make the fairgrounds what it really needs to be, according to Chamber President C.J. Montgomery.

He and other Chamber representatives said the community is beginning to outgrow the current fairground space.  As an example, they pointed to how Woodward is home to one of the largest district livestock shows in the state.

Montgomery said making improvements to the fairgrounds could go hand-in-hand with the new Conference Center, so that the 2 venues could hold joint functions.

However, as it is the fairgrounds are a bit of an "eyesore," according to Melanie Matt, with OSU Extension, who said that the Extension Center has outsourced events to other local venues because the fairgrounds just didn't seem up to par.

Montgomery said, they want to get the ball rolling and are at the point to where they can get a board set and get started on a contract for the construction.

The Chamber has been consulting with Architects in Partnership, PC, which is the same company that did the work on the new jail.

However, there are a few big issues that still remain, including how the improvement project will be funded.

Two concerns were brought up in the discussion of the new fair buildings, parking and facilities for the Soil and Conservation district.

According to Chamber members, the proposed improvement plan would allow for the Soil and Water Conservation to put up a new facility for its equipment.

But as for parking, the Chamber representatives said that no matter what there will be parking issues because of space constraints.

The commissioners voted to approve a resolution from the Woodward Chamber of Commerce to go ahead and continue work on a plan for the possible building of new fairground buildings and also approved the use of Architects in Partnership, PC, for those improvements.



VEHICLE BIDS

In other business, the commissioners opened bids for new vehicles for the Mutual Fire Department and the Sheriff's office.

The Mutual Fire Department was seeking bids for a 1-ton truck cab and chassis to be turned into a fire unit.  Bids were received from McKay Ford for a 2012 Ford 350 $25,721 and from Irwin Auto for a 2013 Chevrolet 3500 for $25,439.  The bids were tabled to allow time for the Mutual Fire Department to review the bids and see which best meets their needs.

Two bids were also received for the new Sheriff's patrol vehicle. Irwin Auto submitted, along with financing from Stock Exchange Bank, a bid for a 2013 Chevy Tahoe 4x4, for $29,987.  McKay Ford submitted, with financing also from Stock Exchange Bank, a bid of $31,472.

With Sheriff Gary Stanley's recommendation to go with the lower price, the county accepted the bid from Irwin Auto.

In another vehicle-related matter, commissioners approved the refinancing of 3 over the road trucks with Stock Exchange Bank which will reduce the county's monthly payment by $1,600 per month.

The next meeting for the Woodward County Commissioners will be Monday, August 20th at 10 a.m.