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The Bartlesville City Council moved to approve the rezoning of the lot on the southwest corner of the intersection of Madison Boulevard and Nowata Road in order to facilitate the building of a new Casey’s General Store.

The council first held a public hearing on the matter at its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday night. Many citizens gave their input on the project with a majority of them being opposed to it.

Gene Dray, a Madison Boulevard resident spoke out against the proposal by saying there was already eight gas stations within a two mile radius of the proposed site. Dray then went on to accuse Vice Mayor John Kane of impropriety due to his relationship with an attorney for Casey’s, Jess Kane.

Dray also called for the vice mayor to recuse his vote. However, city attorney Jerry Maddux did state that Kane would not be forced to recuse his vote but he could do so on his own accord.

Jess Kane then went on to explain that he and the Vice Mayor are second cousins.

Many residents of Forrest Creek, a development that neighbors the lot to the west, spoke out against the project as well. Remona Colson voiced her concerns about light pollution and the proximity of the building to houses in the development.

Despite the concerns of many citizens the council moved to approve the rezoning of this lot. All members of the council including Kane voted in favor of the rezoning.

Councilman Jim Curd did make sure to add a stipulation that a pre-existing fence on the west side of the lot be built higher to potentially block more light flooding over into residential areas.