Commission approves Wildhorse Creek Estates plats amid floodplain and road concerns

The Oklahoma County Planning Commission on May 21 approved the Wildhorse Creek Estates general plat and later the preliminary plat for a roughly 52-acre subdivision of 5-acre lots (GP-2020-62), accepting a protest letter from a neighbor concerned about floodplain and drainage impacts.

Eric, county planning staff, explained that the project proposes approximately 10 lots on about 52 acres, each about 5 acres in size, and that the county’s 2021 subdivision regulation allows privately owned gravel interior roads where all lots are 5 acres or larger. The protest letter was accepted into the record; the author expressed worry that homes placed near the unnumbered floodplain could increase flooding on adjacent property.

Engineer and surveyor D. W. Converse, speaking for the applicant, said he will prepare a detailed floodplain elevation study and anticipates providing finished-floor elevations and, where necessary, raised pads so future owners will not flood themselves. "I'll be the one doing the study to determine the elevations of those houses," Converse said, noting that most lots include buildable area outside the mapped unnumbered floodplain and that Lot 4 will likely require elevation work.

Neighbors and commissioners pressed on drainage, the width and geometry of lots, and road maintenance. Commissioners and staff emphasized that gravel roads approved under the county rule are private and maintained by property owners or an HOA, and that a future change to asphalt or concrete would alter drainage calculations and require the developer to return to the Planning Commission. Staff said plats will state whether roads are private or maintained by Oklahoma County.

The commission voted to approve the general plat (recorded 4–2) and later approved the preliminary plat after additional discussion of road type and drainage. Staff noted that if the developer later elects to construct an asphalt or concrete road, the preliminary plat would need to return for review because impervious-surface calculations and bonding/maintenance questions would change.

What’s next: The applicant will complete any required floodplain studies, finalize the preliminary plat details, and pursue final plat steps; neighbors can follow the matter when the plat returns to the county file or if the BOCC becomes involved.