It isn’t lost on Mike Matthews what the historic home that sat at 1000 S. Main St. for nearly a century meant to a lot of people.

And while he said he had other plans for the lot once he purchased the iconic structure that was built by the Pappes and later lived in by the Springers and the Rehermans, among others, Matthews said the sentimental value held by others wasn’t lost on him.

“It meant a lot to me that it meant a lot to them,” he said.

And so, Matthews held conversations with family members attached to the house about them purchasing it from him, he said, at the price he paid for it before he moved forward with other plans.

No agreement was made and Matthews and business partner Blake Pyle put some resources behind their plans to turn the lots into a commercial shopping center.

Those plans, obviously, included tearing down the home.

As the time for demolition neared, more conversations were had, but the resources already put into the property meant an increased price.

No deals were made. “I had no intentions of refurbishing it once I bought it,” he said. “But I also didn’t want to tear it down for no reason.

“I made an effort.” And, Matthews added, he didn’t purchase the home until after it had been on the market for multiple years.

So Matthews moved forward with his plans, which he said is a continuation of three decades of positive economic development in the city.

Those plans aren’t guaranteed to happen.

Matthews and Pyle were denied on May 22 by the Kingfisher Planning & Zoning Board in their request to have the property re-zoned from residential to general commercial.

Pyle attended the meeting and answered questions from P&Z board members. He told them the home was “beyond” repair, which Matthews has echoed since.

The proposed shopping center would house up to six businesses, Pyle said at the meeting.

They would be selective in who could rent out the spaces, Pyle said.

“We’re not necessarily trying to steal renters from other places,” Pyle said. “We’d like to bring new places into town so we have new businesses.”

He said the building would be about 60 feet by 150 feet with drive-thrus on either end and parking in both the front and back.

Pyle said the space could allow for up to 48 parking spots.

Before the vote, P&Z board members expressed concern that the general commercial zoning was “too broad.”

Austin Evans said he felt there was a “lack of materials” provided in support of the zoning change.

“(It) also seems pretty broad under the circumstances,” he said of the requested zoning change before it was unanimously voted down.

After the vote, Evans said, “I’m in favor of the motion (to deny), but with the understanding that I personally wouldn’t be opposed to you coming back with some additional materials and seeking a more restrictive commercial zone.”

Matthews said he and Pyle will be providing the board with information they’re seeking.

“We’ll go back before them with a plan,” he said.

The P&Z board meets this Thursday, July 24.