Edmond's Standoff: Developer Files Second Lawsuit Over Rejected Walmart Plans

A high-stakes legal battle is once again unfolding in Edmond, Oklahoma, as NewQuest Properties, a prominent developer, has filed its second lawsuit against the city. At the heart of the dispute are the company's persistent attempts to build a Walmart Supercenter at the strategically located northeast corner of Covell Road and I-35, plans that have been repeatedly rejected by the Edmond City Council.

This latest legal challenge, initiated in December 2023, mirrors a similar lawsuit filed in 2020.

That initial legal action came after the city council first denied NewQuest's proposal, despite a recommendation for approval from the Edmond Planning Commission. While the first suit was ultimately dismissed, NewQuest returned with revised plans, hoping to appease the council's concerns. However, those revised plans met the same fate in November 2023, leading directly to the current litigation.

NewQuest Properties' petition explicitly accuses the Edmond City Council of making decisions that are “arbitrary, capricious, unreasonable, unlawful, and an abuse of discretion.” The developer contends that the proposed site is appropriately zoned for the retail development and that they have diligently addressed prior concerns, including submitting comprehensive traffic studies to mitigate potential issues.

On the other side, the Edmond City Council has consistently voiced strong opposition to the Walmart development.

Council members have cited a range of concerns, from a projected increase in traffic congestion and potential crime rates to the overarching sentiment that a large-scale retail store like Walmart does not align with Edmond's carefully cultivated .