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Muskogee council directs staff toward zoning changes that would split R5, create tiny‑home rules and require RV‑park standards
Summary
City staff recommended—and council signaled support for—‘Plan B’ zoning changes that would move tiny cottage homes into an R1 category, split R5 for RV parks and manufactured/modular homes, set size limits and require infrastructure and inspection standards for new RV parks.
City of Muskogee planning staff presented two options for revising residential zoning on March 9, and council members gave direction to move toward the option that separates tiny‑home rules from mobile‑home zoning.
The presentation, led by Sarah Winkles, would reclassify what the city now calls R5 (mobile homes) into clearer categories: R5A for RVs and campers, R5B for manufactured and modular homes, and R5C for tiny cottage homes (or, under the alternative staff proposal, place tiny cottage homes under a new R1B). Winkles said staff recommends the approach that moves tiny homes into R1 and restricts new RV parks with a 5‑acre minimum, annual licensing, on‑site managers and adherence to Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality standards.
Why it matters: council members stressed that the change would create clearer standards for new park development, protect neighborhood character and permit infill development on small lots. Proposed details discussed include a maximum of 800 square feet for tiny cottage homes (state law prevents setting a minimum size), reductions in lot area in some categories to 4,000 square feet to allow more infill, and infrastructure and inspection requirements for new RV parks.
Council discussion highlighted fees and enforcement. Staff proposed a $500 application fee plus an initial $10 per space charge for new RV parks; staff said that parallels practices in other jurisdictions and helps the city track the number of spaces a developer plans to provide. Council members questioned whether a per‑space fee is necessary and whether the $500 application should be a one‑time construction fee; staff clarified that the $10 per space is an initial permit/inspection charge tied to the development and can later be adjusted.
Several council members said they want the planning commission to review the drafts before any final vote. Staff recommended a planning‑commission review and further ordinance drafting; the council directed staff to pursue the option that moves tiny homes into R1 (Plan B) and return with formal language and planning commission recommendations.
What’s next: staff will refine ordinance language, incorporate council direction and send the proposals to the planning commission for detailed review; no final rezoning was adopted on March 9.
Quotes: "The recommendation from staff is solution B," Sarah Winkles said, urging further review and planning‑commission work.
"We want that responsibility for the developer to know how many people they're bringing into the area," a staff member said when explaining the per‑space fee structure.
Additional context: council members discussed subdivision covenants and acknowledged that private covenants remain enforceable by developers or homeowners' associations, not by the city. Planning staff said changes to the zoning map and comp plan amendments may be required depending on the option ultimately chosen.
Ending: Council signaled support for staff’s recommendation and asked staff to return with final ordinance language and planning‑commission recommendations for a future council vote.
