Sapulpa City Council Denies Appeal; Golf Course Cannot Turn Into Dirt Mine

People who live near Clary Fields Golf Club in Sapulpa came in full force against a proposal to turn a golf club into a dirt pit.

More than 100 people showed up at a packed city council meeting on Monday.

Half of the crowd held signs saying “NO DIRT PIT.”

The other half showed up in support of Gem Dirt.

Gem Dirt tried to pass their proposal in February, but the city denied it unanimously.

At an appeal hearing to that decision on Monday, the Sapulpa City Council voted 8-2 to deny the appeal, meaning the company cannot turn Clary Fields into a dirt mine.

Annie Weederstein lives less than a mile away from Clary Fields Golf Club. She has a laundry list of reasons why she did not want a dirt mining company in her neighborhood.

"I mean, we have such a nice neighborhood,” she said. “And our property values are gonna plummet if all people see are trucks and dirt."

She’s not alone in her thinking. Dozens of her neighbors packed the city council meeting to voice their concerns, even lining up outside the door.

They say dirt mining at Clary Fields might pollute the nearby Polecat Creek and dump trucks would disturb the peace, plummeting property values.

But the mining company, Gem Dirt, says that's simply not true.

“We believe the evidence is clear that Gem Dirt does not contribute to those concerns at PoleCat Creek,” attorney Stuart Van De Wiele said. “And to suggest those fabricated issues whether they're real or not, they're not caused by these operations."

The golf club closed last fall and supporters say it is a good alternative for that land.