ENID, OK – Enid city commissioners approved all three Project Thunderbird rezoning requests Tuesday evening following nearly five hours of presentations, questions and public comments at the Stride Bank Center.
Each rezoning request passed 6–1, with Commissioner Frank Baker casting the lone opposing vote. Commissioners Patterson, Norwood, Roberts, Stallings and Dennis joined Mayor Mason in voting for the changes.
The votes move the proposed development another step forward, but do not give final approval to build or operate the data centers or associated power-generation facilities. Additional studies, intensive-use review and other approvals would still be required.
Commissioners also voted 6–1 to amend the Envision Enid comprehensive plan to recognize data center, energy and high-technology industrial development. Baker opposed that measure as well.
The three rezoning approvals change agricultural land to industrial zoning. Two involve the proposed West Campus, including heavy-industrial zoning near South 16th Street and East Rupe and light-industrial zoning for an 80-acre portion of property at 1702 South 30th Street. The third changes the proposed North Campus at 6611 North 42nd Street to heavy-industrial zoning.
Although emergency clauses were included with the comprehensive-plan amendment and rezoning ordinances, none received a motion for approval. The mayor asked for a motion on each emergency clause and moved on when none was offered.
Public comments reflected strong feelings on both sides of the proposal. Opponents questioned the locations, the pace of the process and whether enough information was available to make the zoning changes. Residents raised concerns about water use, wastewater, air pollution, noise, lighting, construction traffic and property values.
Several speakers said they were not against growth or data centers, but did not want industrial development next to their homes, farms or schools. Others asked commissioners to delay the decisions, consider a moratorium or allow residents to vote.
Supporters pointed to potential benefits for local businesses, schools and the community’s tax base. Some nearby residents supported moving forward, while asking for clear communication and enforceable protections for affected families.
Project representative Chad Dillingham told commissioners the zoning changes would allow the proposal to move into the next phase, where detailed studies could help determine whether the development could be done responsibly.
Dillingham discussed potential jobs, construction activity, school funding and ongoing revenue. Those benefits remain part of the proposal and were not guaranteed by Tuesday’s votes.
He said the proposed water supply would come from raw Kaw Lake water rather than groundwater, with treatment facilities funded by the developer. He also discussed a possible surcharge for watershed restoration and continued meetings with nearby residents.
Questions about Vance Air Force Base were another major part of the discussion. Dillingham and former mayor Mike Cooper described possible benefits from backup power and communications infrastructure. Dillingham said he was not aware of a current base-realignment threat.
Commissioners also asked what would happen to the industrial zoning if the project did not move forward. City legal staff explained that the property could not automatically revert to agricultural zoning. Staff described a provision for bringing the matter back for review after five years if substantial completion had not occurred, but another zoning process would be necessary.
Dillingham estimated approximately 10 more months of work could be needed before the proposal reached intensive-use consideration, potentially around August 2027. That timeline remains a projection.
For now, the comprehensive-plan amendment and rezoning requests have been approved. Specific development plans, operating conditions and required agreements remain ahead in the review process.
