Planning commission continues minor PUD amendment over utility easement concerns

The Tulsa County Planning Commission on Nov. 7 continued a request for a minor amendment to a planned-unit development after staff said the setback reduction sought by the applicant encroaches into a utility easement and needs franchise-utility and city review before the commission acts.

Staff planner (name on file with commission) told commissioners the requested setback encroached into “a new utility easement” and recommended the item be continued so the city and franchise utilities can determine whether they will accept an encroachment agreement or require vacating the easement. The planner added, “approval of the minor amendment is not an endorsement of the City approving any type of agreement into that utility easement.”

Mark Nelson, the project architect, said he has a parallel application with the building department and asked the commission to hear the case that day, noting, “Even if we have your approval, if we can't get the easements closed or encroached on, we're kinda dead in the water.” Nelson gave his address as 3132 South Utica Avenue, Tulsa.

After discussion, Commissioner Craddock moved to continue the item per staff recommendation; Commissioner Bulmash seconded. The commission set the continuance for Nov. 19 and approved the motion with no recorded opposition.

The continuance preserves the commission's ability to act later if city staff or the franchise utilities provide clearance; staff advised applicants and the public that any future approval would not substitute for required utility or city approvals.