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Council approves two downtown site plans amid concern over tree canopy and relocations
Summary
The Edmond City Council approved an Integrated Electric site plan and a Prairie North Brewery site plan for downtown, including landscaping variances and tree removals; residents and council members raised concerns about relocating mature trees and potential loss of canopy.
The Edmond City Council approved two downtown site plans on Aug. 26: a 32,000-square-foot office/warehouse for Integrated Electric and a two-story, 8,300-square-foot Prairie North Brewery and taproom at Festival Marketplace. The planning staff recommended approval of both site plans; council votes moved the projects forward.
Architect Eric Schmidt, representing the Prairie North Brewery application, presented masonry-focused design concepts intended to reflect downtown's historic fabric and described pedestrian connections through the site. He said the design intentionally preserves and references surrounding historic buildings. "We've created a building that mimics this historic character, but it's done in a modern interpretation," Schmidt told council.
A central point of debate was the fate of mature trees on the site. The applicant proposed relocating some trees; city urban-forestry staff said approximately four to five trees east of the existing shed would be removed, and the project's planting plan contained narrower-spec replacement trees rather than broad-canopy species. Ryan Ochsner, director of community quality and urban forestry, said the site plan complies with the city's requirements but that the specific trees located within the building footprint were expected to be removed rather than relocated.
"My expectation is that those will be removed," Ochsner said, adding that the city would partner on replanting where feasible. Several council members and residents urged the council and applicant to explore options to maintain or enhance canopy in the area, noting the importance of shade and tree cover to downtown character.
Council members also discussed brick paver preservation and public amenities; the architect said commemorative pavers would be retained while pavers under the building footprint would be removed for construction needs. After questions and discussion, council approved the site plans and associated variances.
Why it matters
The approvals permit private investment and redevelopment in downtown Edmond that officials say will enliven the Festival Marketplace area and support pedestrian traffic. At the same time, residents and at least one council member expressed unease about loss of mature urban canopy and asked staff to explore mitigation or reinvestment options in the surrounding public property.
What’s next
Applicants will proceed with building permits and construction per the approved site plans; staff indicated lease payments and private investment could be reinvested to address landscaping and public-space enhancements.
