Commission recommends rezoning 8.26-acre site near Mercy Hospital to R-3 despite neighbor drainage concerns

The Guthrie Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend rezoning an 8.26‑acre site at the southeast corner of West Oklahoma Avenue and South Academy Road from A‑2 (limited agriculture) to R‑3 (multifamily residential).

Staff told the commission the parcel sits across from Mercy Hospital and that R‑3 zoning allows a higher density (staff said up to about 22 dwelling units per acre in code text, which could translate to roughly 160 units on the site, subject to parking and other development constraints). The staff presentation pointed to nearby multifamily rezonings and commercial uses as part of the context for the request.

Neighbor Gina Davis (S5), who said her family owns the property immediately north of the site, said recent local development has increased runoff toward Academy and asked how stormwater and drainage would be managed. "We're not objecting the rezoning. We just want the water issue to make sure it's taken care of if we do approve to rezone it," Davis said. She described existing flows from athletic fields and nearby construction and asked whether DEQ stormwater permits and local drainage controls would apply.

The staff member (S2) replied that any construction disturbing one acre or more requires a stormwater prevention plan and that current local drainage ordinances require on‑site retention or detention so development should not increase runoff to adjacent properties. "They'll be required to get one of those," S2 said of stormwater prevention plans, and added that the development must show civil engineering plans to accommodate drainage and that the city would review them before permits are issued.

After discussion, the commission moved, seconded and recommended approval 4–0. Staff reminded the public the City Council is the final decision‑maker and will consider these items at its meeting in early June.