Council rezones 7.39-acre Villas at Battle Creek to single-family residential amid traffic concerns

The Broken Arrow City Council approved BAZ2205-2025, rezoning roughly 7.39 acres south of Omaha Street and east of Aspen from commercial general (CG) to RSP to allow construction of the Villas at Battle Creek single-family subdivision.

Rocky Hinkle, community development director, presented the item and said the property is currently undeveloped and that the planning commission recommended approval by a 3-0 vote on June 12, 2025. "BAZ2205Dash2025 is a request to rezone approximately 7.39 acres from CG to RSP," Hinkle said. Staff recommended approval subject to platting.

A resident who spoke during public comment described ongoing traffic problems on 50 First Street and nearby intersections. The commenter asked the council to widen the street before new homes are built, saying, "The traffic is already horrible there," and urging the city to address school-dropoff congestion near Elm and 50 First Street.

Hinkle and other council members noted the road widening is included in a proposed 2026 general obligation bond package and that the single-family plan (35 lots) would be less intensive than commercial development if the parcel remained zoned CG. A council member reminded the public that if the rezoning were denied, the developer could still pursue commercial development under the current CG zoning.

After discussion about future access (Omaha Street tying to North Oak Avenue and Aspen access) and bond-funded improvements, a councilor moved to approve the rezoning. The motion was seconded and a roll call vote followed.

The project will require platting and any required public improvements before building permits are issued. Staff emphasized that the intersection in question involves multiple jurisdictions (City of Tulsa, County of Tulsa and City of Broken Arrow), which can complicate traffic projects.