By Jacob Sturm
Mustang Times
If you’ve driven by Sara Road and SW 15th Street in the past few weeks, chances are high that you’ve seen individuals people protesting the proposed Sunset Amphitheater.
The Oklahoma City Council on Tuesday, April 9 will hear the proposition for a new planned unit development near neighborhoods and schools in eastern Canadian County. At that meeting, a decision is expected to be made about the future of Mustang Creek Crossing.
In a letter to the editor, Mustang Creek Crossing developers say the project will have an economic impact of $260 million per year during the first decade.
“As the developers of the Mustang Creek Crossing, we are striving to create a district within the 280-acre development that adds to the quality of life,” their letter reads.
The letter – signed by Oklahoma City’s Carol Hefner – describes walking trails and park-like surroundings being in play to bring healthy multi-generational venues for people to enjoy.
“We do not wish to build more multi-family apartments or cluster dwellings and have turned many away,” the Mustang Creek Crossing letter reads. “These do not add value or prosperity but add further burden to schools and infrastructure. We wish to add value, improve schools, add jobs, and increase the quality of offerings so residents can enjoy their own community and surroundings.”
Opponents of the project voiced concerns about sound levels during one of the recent protests.
In addition, concerns were raised about the curfew of when shows will end and the sound checks overlapping with multiple schools’ sessions in the surrounding area.
Developers say they have taken extra steps to prevent noise pollution.
“The Sunset Amphitheater is designed with the most advanced sound mitigation techniques and operational strategies to minimize noise pollution,” Mustang Creek Crossing developers wrote in their letter. “The City Planning Commission sought to satisfy the noise abatement restrictions by insuring for its citizens a state-of-the-art system that includes cutting edge sound abatement clusters which limit the height and any spread of sound production.”
The developers say future office and amenity structures would be expected to be added along Sara Road to the east of the amphitheater to create additional noise buffer. The venue’s representatives have agreed to add a roof for added containment of the noise.
The amphitheater project is proposed by the Colorado-based Notes Live.
Mustang Creek Crossing developers say the noise spillage will be minimized and conform with Oklahoma City’s ordinance requirements.
If the development is approved by the OKC Council, shows at the Sunset Amphitheater will conclude by 11 p.m. and primarily take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
Among other concerns expressed by opponents, traffic also will be addressed. Both Sara Road and SW 15th street are scheduled to be widened in this area to help traffic flow.
MCC developers mentioned Kimley-Horn has laid groundwork for a strategy to mitigate potential increases in traffic, too.
EMAILS AND LETTERS
James King, a concerned citizen who participated in a picket, said that opponents of the Sunset Amphitheater have sent in “hundreds of emails and letters” to OKC City Council members and OKC Mayor David Holt, along with the OKC City Clerk.
Fellow protester Lisa Bailey voiced concerns about the traffic caused on the surrounding roads and mentioned the noise.
“I love all types of music, but I don’t want to subject other people to my entertainment,” Bailey said. “I don’t want other children to suffer or families to suffer because I want to be entertained. I just think a big business coming in from out of state, to come in and put a venue in (is not good).
“I want a park here. I want something that adds quality of life to our families, not takes away from it. We’re trying to build good neighborhoods and raise children for the future. I just don’t think this adds anything to our quality of life.”
Opponents of the development created a website called NoRezone.net, while those in support started a Friends of Sunset Amphitheater group on Facebook.
