Edmond commission votes to remove discriminatory language from 1907 Highland Park plat
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Summary
The commission unanimously approved an amended final plat striking language barring sale to persons of African descent; staff said state law now allows cities to remove such historic, unenforceable language and this is the city's first batch under the new law.
The Edmond Planning Commission on Jan. 7 approved an amended final plat for Highland Park that strikes historic discriminatory language restricting sales to "persons of African descent," city staff said. The commission voted 4‑0 to forward the amendment to the City Council, which is scheduled to consider the item on Jan. 13, 2025.
Casey Moore, director of management services in the city manager’s office, told the commission the action is part of a broader effort prompted by a recent state law that authorizes municipalities to remove racially discriminatory language from plats and deed‑related documents. Moore said the city’s Highland Park amendment is the first such case the city is bringing forward since the law took effect in November.
City staff said the change does not alter property ownership rights or titles; it removes archaic, unconstitutional language that has remained on the recorded plat. Staff described Highland Park as a neighborhood platted in 1907 with a mix of housing and nearby commercial anchors, including Neighborhood Market and OU Health Edmond Medical Center.
Cody Boyd, director of Edmond Urbanist (a local nonprofit), spoke in support of the amendment and described the removal as an official correction of legal documents that remain a stain on title histories. Boyd said the action is meaningful for homeowners who pass title documents to future generations.
The commission voted 4‑0 to forward the amended plat (case EPC24‑0006) to the City Council for final action on Jan. 13.