Board of Adjustment to Review Alice Shoat's Mobile Home Zoning Permit Request

The Bartlesville Board of Adjustments convened on August 28, 2025, to discuss a request for a special zoning permit from applicant Alice Shoat. The proposal involves placing a new 2,000 square foot mobile home at 532 Southwest Busey Avenue, a site previously occupied by a single-family home that was removed due to disrepair.

The property is zoned M-2 General Industrial, which necessitates the approval of a special zoning permit for the mobile home placement, as outlined in section 7.5.14 of the zoning regulations. The proposed mobile home features four bedrooms and three bathrooms and is intended to be oriented east-west on the lot.

During the meeting, it was noted that the lot's nonconforming status allows it to be used despite the existing zoning ordinance. The Board of Adjustments referenced section 9.2 of the zoning ordinance, which permits the front setback to be reduced to the average of existing setbacks on adjacent lots. The average front setback in the area is approximately 30 feet, which would allow the proposed mobile home to meet all other building setback requirements.

The property is located within the National Zinc Overlay District, which requires an additional permit if more than five cubic yards of soil are disturbed during construction. City water and sewer services are available at the site, and while there are no existing sidewalks, the area is not classified as critical for sidewalk installation.

A site plan submitted by the applicant indicates the mobile home’s placement, although it does not fully comply with the bulk regulations for M-2 districts. However, the Board acknowledged that the nonconformity of the lot allows for development under the current zoning provisions.

Public notification procedures were followed, with property owners within a 300-foot radius informed by mail and a public hearing notice published in the Examiner Enterprise. Staff reported no comments in support or opposition to the proposal.

The meeting concluded with the Board of Adjustments considering the implications of the request, emphasizing the need to balance the interests of the applicant with the surrounding community's welfare. Further discussions and decisions regarding the permit will follow in subsequent meetings.