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Commissioners approved a motion for zoning requests by
Oaklake Trails Naturist Park on Monday despite comments from
the public that had one man escorted from the building by
Creek County Sheriffs.
Charlie Elliot was removed from the meeting at the request
of District No. 1 County Commissioner Dana Hudgins for
speaking out of order.
Elliot approached the podium without permission from the
commissioners with a tape recorder in hand in an attempt to
comment on the action to approve zoning for Oaklake Trails
Naturist Park.
“I’m tired of Mr. Elliot making this a hostile meeting
environment and I will consult the district attorney’s
office about whether to file a restraining order,” Hudgins
said.
Elliot has become a constant fixture at county commissioners
meetings after his zoning request for a biker rally was
denied, and he is currently going through litigation with
the commissioners regarding that issue.
Because of the pending litigation, Elliot has been told
repeatedly by Assistant District Attorney Laura Farris that
he may not speak on matters pertaining to his case at
meetings and had been advised only to comment through his
lawyer.
Another man identified as a former employee of Oaklake
Trails Naturist Park approached the commissioners to speak
in opposition of the zoning request, but withdrew from
commenting after commissioners made it clear that they could
only act on issues regarding zoning and not personal
allegations.
The opposition seems to stem from the fact that Oaklake
Trails Naturist Park has a policy which allows patrons to
participate in activities without clothing.
Located just north of Milfay, Oaklake Trails Naturist Parks
is one of the largest nudist parks in the United States.
The park has been in existence since 1992 and offers
parkgoers a variety of activities such as sports, hiking and
swimming.
The zoning request made by Oaklake Naturist Park includes
the addition of more than 100 acres of land to the park,
which would expand the size of the park to approximately 400
acres.
The zoning would also expand to include permission to
include a golf course, campground, amphitheater/band shell
and fishing piers as well as RV hook-up and manufactured
home use of the land.
Plans also include the future construction of condominiums
and vacation villas.
The zoning request came before the commissioners with
multiple recommendations by the Sapulpa Metropolitan
Planning Commission that the park must meet in order to
maintain approval.
Part of those recommendations state that all activities must
be properly screened from public view.
The commissioners unanimously approved the zoning request
made by the park after having done research on the area.
“It’s basically like a country club with the added element
of clothing being optional,” Hudgins said.
Hudgins said he viewed the property on which the park sits
and also spoke with neighbors of the park.
According to Hudgins, no landowners whose property adjoins
the park came forward to voice any concerns about the new
zoning.
Hudgins also stated that he feels that the dense woods
around the property, which which is situated on higher
elevation than the land surrounding and is made up of
Blackjack trees, hickory and oaks, properly shields the park
from public view.
Commissioners approved the request for mixed use and
development of the park’s property, as long as the park
owners followed the guidelines set by the SMAPC.
Heather Sleightholm
education@sapulpadailyherald.com |
