Planning commission recommends rezoning of 25.5-acre Enid tract from heavy industrial to agriculture

The Metropolitan Area Planning Commission voted 5–4 to recommend that a roughly 25.5-acre tract east of East Oakey Boulevard and South 42nd Street be rezoned from I-3 (heavy industrial) to A (agriculture), a change the applicant said she seeks so she can build a single-family home.

During the hearing, staff told commissioners the parcel is designated as a Green Network in the city’s comprehensive plan and that much of the site lies in the 100-year and 500-year floodplain. Staff also noted that agricultural zoning can exempt properties from connecting to city sewer and that one-family dwellings are a permitted use in A zoning.

The applicant, Andrea Marsh, told the commission she and her husband recently purchased the property—about 25.5 acres—and said, “we didn't do enough research. We didn't realize that it was zoned industrial,” before adding she plans to build toward the higher/front portion of the lot and expects only minimal household traffic. (Andrea Marsh)

Several commissioners raised concerns about the parcel’s surroundings. Commissioner Rima said the tract is “already an island” bounded by a railroad, Highway 412 and a creek and argued that substantial earthwork, drainage improvements and FEMA-level engineering would be required for large-scale industrial reuse. Other commissioners pointed to nearby industrial uses — including an asphalt facility and concrete and distribution operations — and warned that a home would sit adjacent to heavy industry and its associated noise and dust.

At the same time, commissioners noted the site has remained undeveloped for decades, and some argued that intense industrial investment has not materialized there despite its industrial zoning. Commissioners also referenced past instances when similar wet or marginal parcels were rezoned to permit limited residential uses.

Before voting, commissioners discussed practical constraints: if the parcel were subdivided in the future, those changes would require additional review and permitting; any house construction would have to meet FEMA and insurance standards, and engineering would be required to avoid building in low-lying flood-prone portions of the property.

A motion to recommend rezoning from I-3 to A was made, seconded and approved on a simple majority. The chair announced the vote as five in favor and four opposed. The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the mayor and the board of commissioners for final action.

Votes at a glance

• Motion to approve corrected minutes of the May 18, 2026 meeting: approved; no nays, three abstentions (record corrected as requested by commissioners).

• Motion to recommend rezoning of property near East Oakey Boulevard and South 42nd Street from I-3 to A: carried, 5–4. The commission will forward the recommendation to the mayor and board of commissioners.

What happens next

The MAPC recommendation is advisory: the mayor and the board of commissioners will consider the rezoning request and may hold their own hearing or ask for additional reports. Any future building permit for a home on the parcel would require engineering review, permitting and adherence to floodplain and FEMA standards.

Reporting note: Quotes and attributions are drawn from the commission meeting record; speakers are identified as recorded at the meeting.