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Commission approves PUD change to allow solar panels at Unity Medical Plaza
Summary
The Shawnee City Commission voted to amend the Unity Medical Plaza planned unit development to allow utilities and a small public-service facility use so Mission Energy/ St. Anthony Shawnee can install ground-mounted solar panels; the project will feed primarily into the hospital building and requires FAA review before proceeding.
The Shawnee City Commission adopted an ordinance to amend the planned unit development (PUD) for Unity Medical Plaza, allowing utilities and a “public service facility minor” as an allowed use to accommodate ground-mounted solar panels on an undeveloped tract owned by St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital.
City Planner Diana Hood told the commission the amendment would allow Mission Energy Development LLC to install solar panels on the northern undeveloped tract of the PUD. Planning staff said the Planning Commission recommended approval 4-0. Diana Hood noted the base zoning is C2 (regional commercial) and that the PUD change would allow the described solar use by right rather than through a conditional use permit.
The proposal was presented at a public hearing. Jeff Brownhorst, representing Mission Energy, spoke in favor of the request. A resident asked for more information about how the solar array would affect local electricity use, potential impacts during storms and drainage, and how neighborhood residents or the hospital would benefit.
Commissioners asked technical questions. Jeff Brownhorst and a hospital representative said St. Anthony was purchasing the system and that roughly 99% of the energy produced would remain on site to serve the hospital; a small export to the grid would be managed under an agreement with OG&E. The project does not include battery storage — the system would interconnect directly to the hospital building and the grid. The applicant said they had filed with the Federal Aviation Administration for review because the site is near the Shawnee Airport; they would not proceed without FAA approval.
The city attorney read the ordinance title at the meeting and the motion to adopt passed 4-0. The ordinance amends the PUD (case PUD02-25) to allow utilities and public service facility minor as an allowed use by right for the described tract within Unity Medical Plaza.
Commissioners and staff noted that FAA approval is pending and that the project will not move forward until the FAA returns its ruling.
The amended PUD gives the hospital and Mission Energy greater flexibility on installation timelines and certain site details because the use will be allowed by right under the revised overlay.
Planning staff did not provide an installation schedule at the hearing; they said technical approvals (including FAA sign-off and utility interconnection) must be completed before construction begins.
