Published: August 19, 2008 11:47 pm         

Enid city commission OKs ordinance to protect Vance, give businesses flexibility

Enid City Commission approved a new ordinance Tuesday that will protect Vance Air Force Base airspace and give businesses more flexibility in meeting airspace population restrictions.

The current Airfield Environs Overlay District is based on the most recent Air Installation Compatibility Use Zone study and restricts developments due in part to the risk of aircraft accidents. Developments that involve a concentration of more than 50 people per acre are not allowed within the AED overlay district. International Building Code is used to determine density.

The ordinance approved Tuesday provides an alternative method to determine density of a structure by utilizing a floor area ratio calculation. The ordinance is written so if either method allows the use it is permitted. The Department of Defense is developing a standard method to be applied nationally, and when this standard is available it will be studied and incorporated into the city ordinance.

Mike Cooper, military liaison for the city of Enid, said protecting Vance air space is essential to protecting the base in future base closing rounds.

The commission also authorized the city to apply for Oklahoma Department of Transportation Enhance-ment funding to bring Enid sidewalks into Americans with Disabilities Act compliance. The $600,000 grant will be used for sidewalks on Maine between 5th and 16th. The city match for the grant could be up to $100,000.

Commissioners also approved a measure to apply for a grant of up to $400,000 for a city trail project. The city match could be as much as $80,000, and the Park Board has pledged to help raise the funding.

An emergency resolution transferring $12 million in encumbrances from last year’s budget to the current year budget also was approved.