Broken Arrow council adopts new zoning code, approves street, turf and drainage projects

Broken Arrow’s City Council on Monday adopted a new zoning ordinance and approved a package of infrastructure and construction items, including consultant work for Tucson Street, synthetic-turf installation at Neenheis fields and sanitary/drainage construction work.

The actions move a large zoning overhaul into effect immediately and clear the way for a series of capital projects tied to the city’s 2018 and upcoming 2026 bond planning work.

The zoning ordinance adoption was the highest-profile item. Amanda Yamaguchi, the city’s planning and development manager, said the ordinance represents several years of work: “Ordinance 38‑77 is the proposed adoption of the brand new Broken Arrow Zoning Ordinance. We’ve been working on this for several years now.” The council adopted Ordinance 38‑77 and approved an emergency clause to put the new code into immediate effect.

Votes at a glance - Zoning ordinance (Ordinance 38‑77): Adopted with emergency clause. The ordinance replaces prior zoning language with the city’s new zoning code; the council also approved associated map updates (Ordinance 38‑78). Amanda Yamaguchi said the adoption updates terminology and brings the comprehensive plan text into compliance with the new ordinance. - Tucson Street consultant agreement: Council approved a professional services agreement with CEC Corporation to evaluate improvements on Tucson Street between Olive and Aspen, including lane‑count alternatives, storm sewer, water and sewer upgrades and intersection alternatives at Olive (possible roundabout or signal). The consultant will evaluate options and utility relocations. - Neenheis synthetic turf fields: Council approved awarding the construction contract for synthetic turf installation on Fields 1 and 4 at the Neenheis complex to Mammoth Sports Construction for $1,560,739. Staff said Fields 2 and 3 were already renovated; estimated turf life is about 10 years. - Utility easement closure (Anthem Church, Ordinance 38‑73): Council approved closing a portion of an unused utility easement after the church dedicated a replacement easement and relocated a water line; council also approved an emergency clause for that ordinance. - Comprehensive-plan text update (Resolution 16‑58): Council adopted a resolution updating four pages of the comprehensive plan text to align zoning terminology with the new zoning ordinance; no land-use maps were changed. - Municipal authority sanitary/drainage contract award: The Broken Arrow Municipal Authority approved awarding a combined South Park South relief line and trenchless sanitary/boring improvements project to Cherokee Pride Construction for $789,310.

What council said and why it matters The zoning ordinance is intended to modernize land‑use rules and align the city’s comp plan language and regulations. Amanda Yamaguchi emphasized the ordinance’s long public process and the code’s comprehensive nature. Councilors repeatedly framed the zoning adoption as the conclusion of a multiyear effort.

Street and utility improvements approved Tuesday are framed as planning and design steps to prepare projects for construction and to address immediate maintenance and service needs. The Tucson Street agreement directs a consultant to evaluate options for lane configuration, drainage, intersection design and utility relocations on a corridor that councilors noted sees heavy truck and turning movements.

The Neenheis turf award implements work funded in prior bond packages to convert grass fields to synthetic turf to increase playability and resilience in rainy conditions.

Process notes and next steps Several items approved by the council now move to design, procurement or later construction phases. The Tucson Street consultant will produce alternatives and estimates; staff said they would return to council with design recommendations. The municipal authority contract work is scheduled to proceed under the awarded construction contract. For items where the council adopted an emergency clause, the ordinance language takes immediate effect per state and local procedures.

Votes and roll calls were taken for each ordinance and motion; the meeting transcript records roll calls but does not include line‑by‑line vote tallies in the public record presented at the meeting.

Ending Council members said they expect to return with additional design details and public notices as projects advance. Several planning items approved Tuesday—comp plan map changes and rezoning petitions—will return with additional hearings or required PUD (planned unit development) documents before final platting and building permits.