The city council kicked an issue back to the El Reno Municipal Planning Commission last week, telling the volunteer board it needed to make a recommendation concerning a zoning request.  

The MPC failed to attach a recommendation to a request by Patricia Menchaca to rezone four acres in the 1900 block of East Rogers. Menchaca is seeking to change the zoning from Suburban Agriculture (A-2) to Residential Estates (R-3).

The issue has drawn protests from neighboring property owners, including a formal protest petition filed with the city.

At the July MPC meeting, a motion to recommend denial of the rezoning request failed in a 3-2 vote with one abstention, which counts as a no vote.

The future land use map created by the city with input from citizens shows the area is suited for "acre lot residential," which is "shown as a GO for R-E zoning requests."

Mayor Matt White said the council relies on the MPC for guidance in these kinds of issues. Council agreed and voted to have the MPC reconsider the matter.

"I don't care, and I don't think anyone up here cares what recommendation is made, whether it's for the rezoning or against it," White said. "We need a recommendation, one way or another."

Council requested the MPC send a recommendation in time for the next scheduled meeting on Sept. 14.

Council did agree to vacate a portion of an alley on East Riley, between North Shepard and North R Street. No infrastructure is located in the alley, city information said.

The request was made by Menchaca and it received a 6-0 vote recommending approval from the MPC. It also received a unanimous vote from the council.