Tulsa Board of Adjustment approves several variances and exceptions; handful of items continued

The Tulsa Board of Adjustment on April 8 approved a slate of special exceptions and variances covering accessory dwelling units, signage and residential setbacks while deferring one contested sign application until May 13.

The board voted to approve special exceptions and variances for a mix of single‑property requests — including accessory dwelling unit approvals and incremental height and setback relief — and denied no items on the agenda. Several motions were moved and seconded on the record; the votes recorded during the meeting were unanimous among the members present.

Votes at a glance

- BOA 23869 (1120 E. Woodward Blvd.): Approved — special exception to permit an accessory dwelling unit in the RS‑2 district, an exception to increase permitted floor area for the ADU, and a variance to increase maximum plate height in the rear setback. The board found the request would be in harmony with the code’s intent and cited the property’s historic siting and the applicant’s vehicle‑storage hardship in its findings. The motion carried on a recorded voice vote of board members present (ayes recorded from the chair, Miss Williams, Mister Wallace, Mister Barrientos and Miss Stauffer).

- BOA 23870 (321 E. Reconciliation Way): Approved — variance to permit a walk‑up ATM in the right‑of‑way. The board accepted the applicant’s evidence on customer safety and existing utility constraints and found the location, utilities and safety concerns constituted a hardship. The board approved the variance by voice vote (ayes recorded from the chair and all members present).

- BOA 23878 (school site, RS‑3 district): Approved — variance to increase the number of freestanding signs per street frontage from 1 to 2 and to increase the allowable display surface area for school signage. The board found the need for wayfinding and safety during drop‑off/pick‑up constituted a hardship; motion carried by roll call (all members present voting yes, one member recused earlier in the discussion).

- BOA 23879 (3215 E. 605th Street South): Approved — special exception to permit an accessory dwelling unit in the RS‑1 district for a private applicant’s guesthouse; neighbors reported no objection and the board approved the exception unanimously.

- BOA 23880 (property with arterial frontage): Approved — variances to reduce an arterial street setback and an associated rear setback for a single‑family house on an unusually shaped lot. The board cited the lot’s unique platting and topography as the hardship; motion carried unanimously.

Continued items

- BOA 23877 (10010 S. Riverside Parkway, Maverick/Claude Neon/MidFirst signage package): Continued to the Board’s May 13 meeting at the applicant’s request. The applicant was asked to refine materials, illumination/dwell‑time language for digital elements and hardship documentation and to meet with neighbors and staff to address landscaping and screening. The board voted to continue the matter by voice vote.

What it means

The package of approvals advances a number of routine development requests — ADUs, modest height/setback relief and site‑specific sign relief — while the board pressed for more detail on the largest, most contested signage proposal along the Arkansas River overlay at Riverside Parkway. Neighbors who testified at the meeting urged additional screening and constraints on digital displays; the board asked the applicant to return with revised drawings and a tighter hardship justification.

Ending

The board will reconvene on May 13; the continued variance for Riverside Parkway (BOA 23877) is scheduled for that meeting. The board’s packet and staff reports for each item are available on the City of Tulsa planning web page.