Oklahoma County planning panel approves rezoning for 160‑acre Harrow Estates development
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Summary
The Oklahoma County Planning Commission approved a rezoning from R‑2 to R‑1 for 160 acres at Harrow Road and Hefner Road (Z2025‑04), allowing one‑acre lots. Supporters said the change will enable affordable one‑acre homes and preserve tree buffers; neighbors raised traffic, septic and groundwater concerns. The decision advances to the county commissioners, which will review any significant protests.
The Oklahoma County Planning Commission on Tuesday approved a request to rezone 160 acres at the intersection of Harrow Road and Hefner Road from R‑2 (two‑acre minimum lots) to R‑1 (one‑acre minimum lots), moving the project known in the record as Z2025‑04 to the Board of County Commissioners for final action.
The commission heard from Eric Stafford, planning staff, who said the developer plans to phase the work and that the southwest corner of the property would be the first phase. Stafford told commissioners roughly 25 acres of the site lie in floodplain and said the total buildable yield could be “in the neighborhood” of 60 to 70 lots depending on drainage, road alignment and an on‑site oil well.
Owner and applicant Gina Moore, who identified herself as a nearby resident and descendant of the family that owns the property, said the rezoning would allow smaller lots that make land more affordable and increase tax revenue for local services and schools. “This will allow for a higher number lot count, which will directly offset my infrastructure cost while making the land more affordable for families,” Moore said. She told the commission phase 1 would bring about 13 houses and that she intends to form a homeowners association and preserve tree buffers and existing ponds as community amenities.
Engineer Greg Massey of Red Plains Professional described infrastructure plans including on‑lot aerobic septic systems, required stormwater detention, and dedication of streets to county maintenance. Massey said the first phase (about 22 acres) would likely have two points of access and that the project would provide acceleration and deceleration lanes at entrances; he cited county and state traffic counts in nearby corridors as less than 5,000 trips per day.
Several nearby residents urged denial. Jonathan Hole, who said his property backs the proposed development, warned that narrow rural roads without shoulders and the potential concentration of wells and septic systems could threaten long‑term groundwater quality and public safety. “An increase in daily traffic would raise safety concerns for residents, school buses, farm equipment and emergency vehicles,” Hole said. Neighbor Keith Manns said increased development would erode privacy and the rural character that drew residents to the area.
Staff noted the county will review whether written protests meet the statutory frontage threshold (staff cited a 20% frontage protest rule). If a significant protest exists, the Board of County Commissioners would require a unanimous vote to overturn this approval. The commission’s vote was unanimous in favor of the rezoning record as presented.
The commission approved the rezoning by roll call; the matter will now be scheduled for consideration by the county commissioners, who will consider any valid protests and make the final determination.
