Council debates Tucson-area PUD and traffic impacts as motion to approve is taken

A proposal to rezone roughly 90 acres north of Tucson Street for a planned unit development that could yield up to 350 homes drew extended discussion from residents, engineers and city staff during the Broken Arrow City Council meeting on May 19.

The council considered PUD219‑2025 and related rezoning (BAZ 2633‑2026), which would allow a mix of lot sizes (225 lots at roughly 52 feet and 125 lots at roughly 60 feet), an 8% open‑space standard (down from the usual 15%) to accommodate right‑of‑way dedication, and collector/frontage‑road dedications to support future widening. Rocky Hinkle, community development director, told council the plan aligns with recent comprehensive‑plan guidance and that staff and the planning commission recommended approval.

Residents and nearby homeowners urged caution. Ken Sandival told the council he was worried about how long it will take to widen Tucson Street and about pressures on overcrowded elementary schools. Steve Hogwood described current backups on the two‑lane Tucson corridor, a lack of road shoulders, and the safety implications for emergency vehicles when intersections and ingress points are congested.

City engineers responded with data and a design timeline. Charlie Bright, director of engineering construction, said ENCOG traffic maps show about 8,300 vehicles per day on Tucson Street and roughly 6,500 vehicles per day closer to Olive; he noted that two‑lane sections often see severe peak‑hour congestion as volumes approach 13,000 vpd. Bright said conceptual designs for widening are underway, estimated design completion in about a year, utility relocations could take about another year, and construction funding decisions could put work into a 2027 bond sale with potential construction beginning by 2029.

Developer and consultant representatives said the PUD is only one step in a multi‑stage process; preliminary plats, engineering and infrastructure work would follow approvals. A consultant estimated initial building permits could be possible in 12–18 months under an aggressive schedule, but full buildout of the project would likely take multiple years. The consultant also said larger (60‑ft) lots could command home prices in the high hundreds of thousands—approaching $500,000 in some cases—while the mixed‑product approach is intended to protect quality across smaller‑lot products.

Council members noted prior work with local school officials and a subcommittee of council members and said the school district had not reported district‑wide capacity failures, although isolated elementary schools may reach higher utilization and occasional redistricting could be required. After hearing public comment and staff responses, a council member moved to approve item 26‑722; the motion was seconded and a roll call vote was taken (the transcript records the roll call but does not contain the vote tally or final adoption language).

Next steps: the item was moved to a council vote at the May 19 meeting and a roll call occurred; engineering staff indicated design work for Tucson widening is active and that council will later choose a final cross‑section and schedule when funding is available.