EL RENO, Okla. (KFOR) — El Reno city leaders are considering annexing six areas on the east side of the current city limits.
This means unincorporated areas would be zoned inside El Reno city limits.
"What is the city going to gain by taking my land and annexing? The city, not me," said a resident during the public comment portion of Tuesday's special meeting.
City Manager Matt Sandidge said El Reno is a growing community, and there's lots of developmental pressures inside the area.
"These developmental pressures are leading to conflicts in land uses between industrial uses and resident residences," said Sandidge.
He also said the decision wasn't made lightly.
"We felt like this was probably the best approach to improve the quality of life in those areas long term and also public safety issues," said Sandidge.
Long-time El Reno residents and homeowners in unincorporated areas were fired up in Tuesday's special meeting that lasted until midnight.
"By you telling is what to do instead of asking us, shows us all so much disrespect in here," one resident said.
On Tuesday night, city leaders voted to annex Banner, just miles away from El Reno city limits.
El Reno Mayor Steve Jensen says he also owns land included in the annex.
"The city council did not just steamroll across everyone," Mayor Jensen said.
Mayor Jensen provided an example of how he believes an annex would improve the city.
"If you have a nice house or a school and then somebody with no zoning or controls, or an industrial deal goes in next door, there's nothing you can do about it without any zoning," said Mayor Jensen.
Mayor Jensen also said if you have any questions, to reach out, his phone number is on the city's website.
