Board of Adjustment Reviews Special Zoning Permit for Local Bridal School

The Bartlesville Board of Adjustments convened on August 28, 2025, to discuss zoning regulations and a special permit application for a local bridal school. The meeting focused on the compatibility of the school with surrounding residential areas and the implications of zoning ordinances.

The Board reviewed the zoning ordinance, which allows lower intensity uses to be permitted in higher intensity zoning districts if they are compatible with the surrounding area. According to zoning regulation section 10.5.0.3, the Board must consider the nature and condition of adjacent uses and structures when evaluating applications for special zoning permits. The Board has the authority to impose additional requirements to protect adjacent properties and the public interest.

A presentation highlighted that the site is designated as a suburban neighborhood in the comprehensive plan's future development map. The compatibility matrix indicates that major shopping commercial uses are secondary to single-family residential uses in this area. The bridal school, which operates Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM, serves grades K through 8 with a total of five classrooms and approximately seven children per classroom. The school employs four teachers and experiences a drop-off and pick-up flow of about 15 to 18 vehicles, typically staggered over 15 to 20 minutes.

City staff conducted site visits during the first week of school to observe the drop-off and pick-up operations, ensuring that the school's activities align with the zoning regulations and community standards.

The meeting concluded with the Board's commitment to carefully consider the application in light of the zoning regulations and the potential impact on the surrounding neighborhood. Further discussions and decisions regarding the special zoning permit are expected in future meetings.