Planning Commission votes for jail site to move forward; changes to special permit
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — A 5-to-2 vote from the Oklahoma City Planning Commission on Thursday means the new county jail location at E Grand Blvd and SE 15th St. moves forward to City Council.
At Thursday’s meeting, the design team for the new jail showed renderings from the site displaying their design aspect they say would create access to better living conditions for inmates.
Opponents of the site spoke in front of the commission about their continuing concerns for safety in the area and maintenance issues for the land.
In the end though, the Planning Commission gave their recommendation for the new jail site with some changes to the special permit.
“The motion is to recommend to City Council approval of the special permit subject to the technical evaluations requiring a 12-foot minimum fence, requiring that release of inmates be held at the Oklahoma County Courthouse, and no outdoor speakers,” said Camal Pennington from Ward 7.
Oklahoma County Commissioners said if the OKC City Council votes no on the property, they are at risk of losing $50 million in ARPA funds.
The City Council vote on the proposed jail site at E Grand with the new changes will happen in about six weeks.
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