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Commission defers Westgate Drive rezoning after neighbors cite privacy and density concerns
Summary
The Planning Commission delayed a rezoning request for 12200 Westgate Drive to allow the applicant to pursue a special development (SPUD) approach and address neighbors’ concerns about multi‑story housing and privacy; the item was deferred to May 22.
The Oklahoma City Planning Commission on April 10 voted to defer consideration of a request to rezone 12200 Westgate Drive from O‑1 to R‑3 after neighbors expressed concerns about privacy, scale and potential density.
Buyer’s representative Justin Craig told the commission he had proposed R‑3 zoning and initially discussed two fourplex buildings; planning staff clarified that under the R‑3 district one fourplex is allowed per lot and that placing multiple structures would require a lot split or a Special Planned Unit Development (SPUD). Sarah Welch of the Planning Department told commissioners a permit would not approve a site plan today — rezoning would change what uses are allowed but not the final layout.
Neighbors who spoke said they were worried about height, loss of privacy and property values after the County moved utility poles and cleared vegetation for the Chuck Hall Road expansion. Resident Kenny Reyes asked the commission to require a landscape buffer if the rezoning proceeded and wrote in his submitted letter that he “would request that a row of trees be planted that are no less than 12 feet tall at the time of planting along the concrete drainage spillway to provide privacy and noise reduction for the residents.” Another nearby homeowner, Christopher Brown, told commissioners that the neighborhood map does not show other R‑3 districts and said changing to R‑3 would be out of character.
Public Works staff, Barry Lodge, said his principal access concern was preventing individual residential driveways onto Chuck Hall, and suggested residential access be taken from Westgate Drive or provided via a shared driveway if development proceeds.
After discussion the applicant asked to defer to pursue a SPUD and to consult with neighbors. Commissioner Meek moved to defer the item to the May 22 meeting; Commissioner Powers seconded and the commission approved the deferral. The applicant consented to re‑notice requirements and was told any revised exhibits should be submitted to planning staff in time for packet publication ahead of the May 22 hearing.
The deferral preserves the current O‑1 zoning until the commission considers the SPUD or any revised application later this spring.
