Edmond planning commission approves Gardenia Apartments after neighbors and developer agree to eight conditions

The Edmond Planning Commission on March 3 approved a site plan for the Gardenia Apartments, a 4.3-acre development that will add three residential buildings totaling 69 dwelling units, after the applicant and nearby residents agreed to eight additional conditions.

Planning staff presented the proposal, describing three buildings of roughly 30,400 square feet each, building heights just under 35 feet, brick and cement-board facades, and site access from Ayers Avenue. Staff recommended approval. Applicant representative David Box told the commission the project had been denied previously, was appealed to the City Council and that the applicant subsequently worked with neighbors and staff to resolve concerns.

"We think it's a project that's important to Edmond," David Box said, and offered eight conditions the developer will accept to address neighbors' concerns. Those conditions include: planting evergreen screening 11–12 feet tall at installation along the north property line; preserving trees and underbrush within the north 20 feet of the site where feasible; enclosing third-floor balconies and breezeways on the north-facing building; constructing an 8-foot masonry wall between the west and east retaining walls with weep holes to avoid obstructing drainage; adding awnings over the top portion of third-floor north-facing windows; preserving the top of the berm within the north easement; providing revised plans to neighbors at the time of building-permit application; and, subject to Edmond Public Works approval, diverting water at the northwest corner of the property to avoid impacts to the existing bank.

Two nearby residents spoke in support. Gary Bartley, who said he lives at 1209 Nice Bridal Road and participated in neighborhood meetings, told the commission the eight items "are the ones that we had initially talked about" and that if the developer honors them "it will take care of 99% of our concerns." Nicole Peterson, whose property backs the site, said neighbors met on-site with the developer and engineering team and could support the project with the agreed changes.

Commissioners asked technical questions about the proposed masonry wall and its relation to the existing berm. A representative from Johnson and Associates (Mark) explained the wall will connect existing east and west retaining walls, be placed to the south of the berm footprint to avoid removing trees, and include required footings. Neighbors present confirmed they preferred that approach to placing the wall on the property line because moving footings onto the line would require removing additional trees.

After discussion, a motion to approve the site plan with the eight additional conditions passed on a 5-0 vote. The commission's approval concludes its review; no further action by the planning commission was recorded in the transcript that night.

Clarifying details from the presentation: the site plan lists a total of 69 dwelling units across three buildings; the northern building's third-floor balconies will be enclosed under the new conditions; the developer agreed to preserve vegetation within the north 20-foot buffer where feasible; and one condition is contingent on Edmond Public Works' approval for a proposed water diversion at the northwest corner of the property.