Neighbors press drainage, tree and scale concerns as Tulsa board approves ADU but continues roof‑height variance

The Tulsa Board of Adjustment on Oct. 28 approved a special exception for an accessory dwelling unit at 1851 East 30th Place but continued a requested variance to raise the ADU’s height above the 18‑foot maximum to allow more time for the applicant to revise plans.

The board voted 5–0 to permit the ADU per the conceptual plan shown in the meeting packet. Roger McKee, the project designer, said the homeowners want a ground‑level dwelling for an aging family member and proposed a roof pitch that matches the Tudor‑style house. “To really drop it down … it would add more valleys or shed roofs,” McKee said, arguing the steeper pitch maintains the house’s character and reduces future maintenance risks.

Neighbors said the change would harm mature trees, increase runoff and alter the neighborhood’s single‑family character. Sam Daniel, who lives next door, said runoff and a proposed buried drainage “is going to cut right down the edge of our property” and warned that the work would damage roots of large, century‑old trees. Millie Ode, who said she has lived nearby 43 years, told the board the ADU site is within “a lower elevation” and that recent, extensive hardscaping on the lot will increase stormwater velocity toward adjacent yards.

Board members acknowledged the neighbors’ concerns but noted that stormwater, tree protection and drainage design are addressed during city permitting and engineering review. Several members also said the supplemental materials showed mitigation measures, and that modern guttering and buried leaders were planned to direct roof runoff to the street.

On the question of the ADU ridge height, board members asked the applicant to revise the design to reduce the wall plate from 10 feet to 8 feet on portions of the building in order to lower overall ridge height and avoid or pare down the variance. The applicant said he would pursue a revised section that could bring the ridge near the code limit; the board agreed to continue the variance request to the Nov. 18 meeting so the applicant can present updated drawings.

The board recorded its decision to approve the ADU special exception and to continue the height variance; each action will be reflected in the building permit review as the project moves forward.

The board issued no construction permits at the meeting; all comments about drainage, tree protection and site work will be considered again at permitting.