Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Edmond council approves contested East Edmond PUD after residents raise traffic and tree concerns
Summary
After public comment and a lengthy hearing, the council approved a rezoning to a planned unit development (Z24-00001) for property east of I‑35. The developer said the revised master plan reduces overall density by about 14%; council approved the rezoning on a 3–2 vote.
The Edmond City Council voted 3–2 to approve a rezoning to a planned-unit development (PUD) for a large tract east of Interstate 35 following a lengthy public hearing that included resident concerns about traffic, tree canopy and neighborhood character.
David Jones, representing the Orion Group and the developer, told the council the updated master plan reduces density by roughly 14% from the earlier proposal: a minimum reduction of 30 residential lots in Track 3 and 65 fewer commercial-style units. He said the developer removed potential carports, added garages for proposed residential units and incorporated additional fencing and tree buffers in the design statement.
Residents and council members raised persistent concerns about traffic and pedestrian safety on nearby Willow Road, the lack of an I‑35 exit in the immediate area, and the project’s effect on the tree canopy. One resident who addressed the council described past incidents of vehicle strikes near the neighborhood and urged staff to coordinate with the police department for traffic-calming measures during construction.
Several council members acknowledged the trade-offs between preserving large acreages and allowing pockets of density needed to extend utilities, broadband and other services to East Edmond. A council member said the city’s East Edmond 2050 plan anticipates pockets of density to make utility extensions economically feasible. Other councilors pushed the developer to continue reducing density and to meet the city’s landscape and tree-preservation standards during site planning.
The planning commission had recommended approval at its Oct. 8 meeting by a 5–0 vote. After public comment and deliberation, the council approved the rezoning 3–2.
Next steps: staff and the developer will continue to refine site plans and landscape plans to meet Edmond code; councilors asked staff to monitor traffic impacts and potential mitigation measures during permitting and construction.
