Edmond Planning Commission approves OCA Sports Complex PUD amid neighbor concerns on access and drainage

The Edmond Planning Commission on July 21 approved a planned unit development (case Zs26Dash00008) for the Oklahoma Christian Academy (OCA) Sports Complex, a 4.7-acre redevelopment at 1100 East 9th Street, by a 3-0 vote. The approval sends the application to the Edmond City Council for final consideration on Aug. 10, 2026.

Staff described the proposal as a PUD that would allow indoor and outdoor recreation and school-related uses, with planned setbacks of 25 feet (north), 30 feet (east), and 35 feet (south and west), a maximum building height of 35 feet and public utilities already available. "Staff recommends approval," a planning staff member told commissioners during the presentation.

Neighbors at the public hearing raised safety, drainage and buffering concerns. Dan O'Neil, representing the Edmond Neighborhood Alliance, said the proposed design showed a single entrance and urged a second access point for circulation and emergency response: "One entrance is a showstopper in my mind," he said, adding worries about erosion and downstream impacts through Hayford Park. The applicant team said the main driveway was realigned to match an opposite driveway to create a safer four-way intersection and potential crosswalks, and that the change reduced the number of 9th Street curb cuts per city recommendation.

Will Blanchard, OCA's headmaster, said the outdoor areas are intended primarily for practice and younger-age physical education, not varsity game long-ball play, and that activities would generally conclude by 9 p.m. (with limited nights possibly to 10 p.m.). He said the school hopes some outdoor spaces can serve the neighborhood while maintaining controls for safety and security.

The applicant and project engineer addressed other technical concerns. Andres Becker, the project engineer, said the plan includes two detention ponds in the north and one in the south to manage stormwater, and that the detention footprint had been enlarged compared with current site conditions. The project designs 43 standard parking spaces and two handicap spaces. Becker also said the project does not yet have a final landscape plan but noted areas along the south border are available for trees and buffers.

Some neighbors offered conditional support. Rebecca Graham, a nearby resident, said she and most neighbors welcomed redevelopment of the site and removal of a dilapidated building, but reiterated flooding concerns and suggested stronger fences or a 10-foot fence along parts of the south property line.

Commissioners questioned hours of operation, public access, lighting and buffering; the applicant confirmed there would be no lights on the rear practice field and only low-impact lights on the tennis courts. On the fence height, Blanchard said OCA would work with neighbors and is "amenable to the 10 feet" if aesthetics and neighbor needs are met.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the PUD zoning map amendment; the motion passed 3-0. The planning commission's approval advances the application to the Edmond City Council on Aug. 10, 2026 for final action.

Votes and next steps: The commission approved the motion by a 3-0 tally and instructed staff to forward the case to city council as scheduled.