By Michael Pineda
[email protected]
An application by Epic Charter Schools for a conditional permit to build a micro site school at 127 West Main will be submitted to the City Commission with the recommendation of the Planning Commission.
The commission made the recommendation by a 3-2 vote at its meeting at the Ardmore Public Library on Thursday. Epic needs a conditional use permit to host a micro site because the downtown area is not zoned for an educational facility.
Community development staff recommended denying the permit because the city’s primary concern is the impact a school would have on the city’s downtown commercial area. Under state law and ABLE standards, if the educational facility is approved, it would result in restrictions on future adult alcohol stores at the 127 West Main Street location.
The Micro Site is a facility where Epic teachers can meet with tutors in addition to faculty and club meetings. Teachers reserve rooms for up to three hours during which they meet with small groups of students.
Jeff St. Clair is the owner of the building that is being leased to Epic. During the meeting, he pointed out that part of the area within 300 feet of his building is already off-limits due to a church. He added that the only potential new businesses that could be affected are liquor stores or bars.
A new business model is needed because an entertainment district doesn’t work in Ardmore, St. Clair said, pointing out that there aren’t enough people between the ages of 21 and 35 to make a bar viable. St. Clair cited Black Mesa, a former downtown bar, as examples, along with his restaurant Sunset Grill, which closed its doors last year.
“In today’s world, it’s difficult to create an entertainment district,” he said.
Before the meeting, St. Clair said he had met with most of the business owners and most supported his views.
“It’s really about the downtown economy,” he said. “It’s not about Epic, whether you like them or not.”
There were attendees who had the opportunity to speak for or against the permit. Business owner Aylisa Marion said the addition of Epic to the downtown community would be good because it is a different type of business.
“And I also think that given the economic situation and current circumstances, we need to reevaluate what Main Street should look like in the future,” she said.
Another business owner, Stephanie Baker, felt that Epic would bring people from different communities to downtown.
“I really feel like downtown is shrinking and it’s because the block I live on and the next block have kind of been forgotten,” she said. “Everything has moved east and I feel like this is going to bring a lot of businesses to our downtown and make it more productive.”
Those who spoke against the conditional approval included business owners Casey Draper and Allision Meredith, and Philip Capshaw. Draper said the growth downtown has been amazing, but due to the fact that Ardmore is a small town, the business will close sooner.
“I would find it really terrible if Ardmore’s growth was limited just because some people aren’t able to move beyond what they currently see,” she said.
Meredith, who also serves as general manager of the Ardmore Main Street Association, highlighted the growth and improvements in downtown.
“You can see that people are investing in the city centre again and choosing the city centre as a location for their businesses,” she said.
Capshaw said downtown property values have increased, citing the sale of family property as an example. He urged the commission to consider the planning that went into the district’s development.
“To reiterate, we spent all this money on surveys and consultants and they said we need entertainment,” he said. “I think Epic is great too, but I don’t think anyone is going to come. That’s not what’s going to attract people downtown.”
St. Clair has done a study on the issue and presented it to most of the downtown business owners. He said there are other people interested in leasing his building, but he believes Epic Charters School stands to gain the most economic development.
The City Commission will consider the permit during its Sept. 3 meeting at 6 p.m. at the Ardmore Public Library. There will also be a public hearing at that time.
