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Consultant outlines Oklahoma County master plan update, identifies water capacity and growth as early priorities
Summary
Guernsey planners briefed the Oklahoma County Planning Commission/Steering Committee on data collection, stakeholder outreach, and an 18-month timeline for a master plan update, flagging water/wastewater capacity, infrastructure gaps, and balancing growth with rural character as key challenges.
Guernsey planners told the Oklahoma County Planning Commission on Sept. 18 that the county has launched an 18-month update of its master plan and that early work will focus on data collection, stakeholder outreach and identifying infrastructure and regulatory gaps.
"So as the steering committee, that's what you're always serving as, for this project," said Katie Fidler, senior planner with Guernsey and project manager for the master plan update. Fidler said the consultant team has begun an existing-conditions analysis using census and American Community Survey data and is coordinating with ODOT and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to fill data gaps.
Fidler and Daniel Sperley, senior planner with Guernsey, told commissioners the team is collecting broadband coverage, rural fire district maps and hazard-risk data and will identify where county staff must supply additional information. The team raised three early challenges: balancing growth pressures with preserving rural character, addressing water and wastewater capacity constraints, and reviewing how current zoning and subdivision regulations (updated in 2021) are functioning.
"We're focused on collecting all sorts of data ... that includes things like demographic info, housing patterns, what current land use looks like, any infrastructure problems or potential, as well as economic factors," Fidler said. She said the existing-conditions analysis will be completed this fall and provided to the steering committee for review.
Fidler described a public-engagement program that will include land-use workshops and targeted outreach to stakeholders such as rural water districts, utility providers, school districts and regional agencies including ACOG and ODOT. She asked commissioners — who will also serve as the steering committee — to identify additional stakeholders and to provide feedback by email or in meetings.
Commissioner Marquita (recording) asked about the timeline; staff summarized it as roughly 18 months and in "phase 2." Eric (planning commission staff) gave an example of coordination already underway: a meeting with an Oklahoma City engineer about possible expansion of the Deer Creek wastewater-treatment plant, a capacity issue tied to a five-year moratorium on development in some areas until additional plant capacity is added.
Fidler said the plan will culminate with a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners; the steering committee will review draft materials and provide guidance throughout the process.
The team noted the last county master plan update was in February 2007 and emphasized the need to bring policies and data "into this time." Fidler urged commissioners to share local knowledge to help the plan reflect "what the needs and priorities of unincorporated county are."
