Jenks Planning Commission approves broad Chapter 16 UDO updates with conditions on event venues and roof structures

The Jenks Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve a package of updates to Chapter 16 of the City Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), adopting clarifications and new standards for setbacks, roof-mounted structures, places of assembly, parking and administrative procedures, while attaching specific conditions to how places of assembly and roof-mounted structures may be permitted in the riverfront commercial area.

The commission’s action (agenda item number 4) followed an extended staff presentation by Planning Director Ms. Hilton and public comment from Oklahoma Aquarium Foundation representatives who urged caution about loosening assembly-use rules in the Riverfront Tourist Commercial (RTC) district because of parking impacts.

What the commission approved - Places of assembly in the RTC: The commission agreed to allow "place of assembly" (a category that includes event venues, museums and other recurring congregation-type uses) to be permitted in the RTC only through a planned unit development (PUD) process and only if located on the second floor or higher. The motion attaches that condition to table 16-3-4 in the UDO. - Roof-mounted structures: The update creates a review framework for approved roof-mounted structures (non-sign building features) and requires Planning Commission review/approval rather than purely administrative sign rules. Staff described draft limits: structures limited to 15 feet above the roof including supports; no portion extending more than 75 feet above ground; width limited to 33% of roof width or 20 feet, whichever is less; internal (non-blinking) illumination preferred; and a…