Commission defers rezoning for 1210 N. Ann Arbor after neighbors warn against expanding storage use

Oklahoma City — The Planning Commission on April 24 voted to defer SVD-17-25, the application to rezone 1210 North Ann Arbor Avenue, after extended public comment and a multipart staff discussion about how to reconcile existing nonconforming storage structures with zoning that would otherwise allow more intensive redevelopment.

Why it matters: The property currently contains personal-storage buildings and nonconforming structures close to residential property lines. Neighbors worried that rezoning without precise limits could allow expansion of storage buildings, higher traffic and changes that would alter the character of the surrounding single-family area.

At the meeting neighbor Ken Brown told the commission the existing buildings are older, largely hidden and low-traffic, and that his concern was not the current use but the potential for a future owner to redevelop the site into a more intensive commercial storage operation. "In its current configuration, I have 0 problems with it at all," Brown said. "I'm only concerned about if the zoning change allows somebody to go in there, increase the capacity where we get a lot more traffic, more noise, tear down the buildings…"

Planning staff (Sarah Welch) explained that the way the current draft SPUD was written could permit rebuilding in the same footprint but — depending on how prior nonconforming status and setbacks are interpreted — might allow additional personal-storage buildings in the rear portion of the site. Staff noted the draft contained a 60-foot front setback and language attempting to preserve the existing building siting, but that the record did not clearly prevent new structures from being added in certain parts of the site.

Commissioners and the applicant discussed possible fixes: limiting the number of storage buildings or total square footage, allowing replacement structures only to the same size and footprint, requiring rebuilt structures to meet current commercial setbacks and fire-rating where necessary, or otherwise limiting the intensity of personal-storage use that could be established by future owners.

Commissioner Meek moved to defer SVD-17-25 for two weeks to the May 8 meeting so staff can catalog existing structures and draft enforceable language to limit expansion; Commissioner Powers seconded. The motion carried and the item was continued.

Next steps: Staff and the applicant will document the existing buildings’ footprints and sizes, and draft specific technical-evaluation language that would either cap square footage/number of storage buildings or otherwise restrict the ability to expand nonconforming storage. The item will return to the Planning Commission on May 8.