Planning commission approves Cambridge Estate general plat amid protests over lot size and wastewater

The Oklahoma County Planning Commission on Jan. 16 approved the general plat for Cambridge Estate (CP‑2024‑18), a proposed subdivision of roughly 199 residential lots on about 192 acres, despite letters of protest and public comments about lot size, wastewater treatment and traffic near Rose Union Elementary School.

Planning staff member Eric summarized the application and its history, telling the commission that the Board of County Commissioners approved the planned unit development (PUD) that governs the site on April 18, 2024 and that the commercial corner shown on the PUD is not part of the current general plat. "The general plat basically consists of a 199 residential lots, and it is on approximately a 192 acres," Eric said during the meeting.

The plat calls for primarily half‑acre lots, with larger two‑acre lots along the MacArthur entrance. Staff said the development will be served by Deer Creek Water and that, under state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) rules, on‑site aerobic systems are allowed on lots of this size when the lots are served by a public water system. "Whenever someone builds a house out here, they ... have to give us a standard form from DEQ, letting us know what type of system is out there and the capacity of that system," Eric said, describing the permitting and inspection steps tied to building permits.

Members of the public and the applicant spoke during the public comment period. Developer representative David Box argued the plat meets applicable regulations: "Everything that we have put forward on this general plat complies with every rule and regulation required of a general plan," he said, and asked the commission to approve the plat. Opponents, including Dr. Mike Maggiulli, cited traffic congestion at nearby roundabouts, school overcrowding and concerns about spray‑applied effluent from aerobic systems. "199 houses on a 192 acres right next to a school ... I'm downwind of this and I would prefer not to have a sewage tank right next to my house," Maggiulli said.

Commission discussion covered connectivity to the adjacent Avalon Estates development, which staff said will remain a gated community and therefore will not provide a direct vehicular or pedestrian connection to Cambridge Estate. Staff noted a stub street to the south that would allow future connection if adjacent property develops. Commissioners also asked about entries, exits and the need for traffic analysis; Eric said a traffic impact study will be required at the preliminary plat stage. He also said sidewalk connections and a potential crosswalk near the MacArthur entrance could be considered during the preliminary design review.

After discussion, a motion to approve the general plat for Cambridge Estate passed. During the roll call, commissioners named on the record included Rob Murray (yes), Gary Jewell (yes), Charles DeFirier (recorded no), Rob Talbot (yes) and Denise Patterson (yes). The commission’s staff report and public comments will be part of the administrative record as the developer moves to the preliminary plat stage, where required traffic studies, engineered utility plans and DEQ documentation for on‑site wastewater systems must be submitted and reviewed.

Next steps: if the developer files a preliminary plat, commission staff said the applicant must submit a traffic study and detailed construction plans 45 days before that hearing; the commission and county engineers will review required roadway, signage and drainage work. Members of the public were told staff will continue to review sidewalks and school‑zone signage at the preliminary stage.