The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

Opinion

Discussion

November 3, 2009

Current goals for Champlin Mansion need to be defined

The proposal to turn the Champlin Mansion into a bed and breakfast, event center and museum looks promising.

However, the plans for the Enid landmark need to be clearly communicated, especially to the neighbors. The neighborhood is a close-knit one, and proponents of the plan would do well to be specific on several things.

For one, they need to clearly outline what kind of events would be hosted in the mansion. One of the group of developers, Amanda De la Cruz, of Panevino, mentioned weddings at a recent Metropolitan Area Planning Commission meeting, where a use by review request was granted, giving the project the green light to proceed. She said the size of weddings her business typically caters is about 100-150 people. What other types of events would be considered?

Another thing developers need to be specific about is parking. How will parking be handled to not disrupt the character of the neighborhood?

At the MAPC meeting, the current plan for parking was outlined.

Traffic would enter on Wynona, and the area that now is an orchard would become a parking lot. Developers plan to install lighting in the parking lot and place a large hedge around the area. The lighting would be focused down to diminish the effect on the neighborhood.

The increase in traffic seems to be one of the biggest concerns among neighbors.

As we said, developers would do well to spell out to neighbors their plans.

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