Broken Arrow Planning Commission Meeting – June 25, 2026

The Broken Arrow Planning Commission met on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the city council chambers. Commissioners Mindy Payne, Robert Gorenson, Jayley Clempa, Jonathan Townsend, and Jason Cohen were present. The meeting covered a consent agenda item, two public hearings on rezoning and a planned unit development (PUD), and a discussion on a facade material waiver. Key decisions included approval of a lot split, a zoning change from industrial light to commercial heavy, a townhome PUD (over one dissenting vote), and a waiver for the Zico Global Technology Center expansion.

Consent Calendar

• Lot Split 4B (Glowacke Lot Split): Approved unanimously (5-0). The item was pulled from the consent agenda for discussion. The applicant confirmed that a mobile home straddling the proposed lot line had been demolished, resolving the commissioner's concern. The split of 1.16 acres from one to two lots (RMH zoning) was approved per staff recommendation.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 6A (Lynn Lane Rezoning): One written comment from Dan Adams, owner of adjacent lots, was read into the record. Adams expressed concern that changing the zoning to commercial heavy (CH) would be incompatible with the surrounding light industrial (IL) lots, cited insufficient parking (building built with very little parking, no parking in front due to a 25-foot access easement), and noted ongoing stormwater drainage issues that had placed occupancy permits on hold. The applicant, John Walsh, responded that parking constraints limit commercial use to one tenant (a dance studio), that the stormwater issue was being addressed with a $20,000 system adjustment, and that the CH zoning matches property across the street.

• Item 6B (BA Townhomes at Bricktown): Three members of the public spoke in opposition:

  • Tamara Lyons, resident of the adjacent senior facility (Kenosha Landing), cited existing traffic congestion from a concrete company that uses Oakland Place, trucks parking on the street, and safety concerns with only one way in/out. She said the space is too small for the proposed amenities.
  • Harold “Marty the Marine” Rhodes, a resident of Kenosha Landing, requested a traffic survey, noted 200 semi-trucks per week on North Elder, and proposed moving the townhome access to Elder Street instead of Oakland Place. He also requested a stoplight at 71st Street.
  • Paula Farrell, president of the Bricktown Homeowners Association (143 homes), stated that semi-trucks now park overnight on North Elder Place, which is zoned commercial, and that residents have had difficulty getting code enforcement to act. She asked that the semi parking be resolved.
  • Two written comments were read: one from Fred Zimmelman (adjacent neighbor) raised concerns about stormwater management, dust during construction, tree preservation, and road maintenance. Another from Jordan Cook (resident for 27 years) asked the commission to deny the proposal due to traffic, safety, incompatibility with single-family neighborhoods, and potential property value impacts.

• Item 8A (Zico Global Technology Center): No public comments were received. The applicant, John Ollig (architect), explained that the facade waiver allows more than 25% metal panel on public-facing elevations for an existing pre-engineered metal building being reskinned with architectural metal panels and a new office addition.

Discussion Items

• Item 4B – Glowacke Lot Split: Commissioner Gorenson pulled the item to confirm that an old mobile home along the proposed split line had been removed. Staff confirmed a demolition permit had been pulled and the structure removed. The item was then approved.

• Item 6A – Lynn Lane Rezoning (BAZ-002875-2026): The applicant, John Walsh, stated that the property (1.89 acres at Lynn Lane) was originally developed as an office warehouse but received overwhelming demand for commercial uses (dance studio, fitness, hair salon, etc.). To accommodate those uses, the city recommended rezoning from IL to CH, which matches the comprehensive plan (Level 6) and the zoning across the street. Commissioners discussed parking constraints; staff noted the site currently meets IL parking requirements and that any commercial use would have to meet CH parking standards, which could limit future tenants. The commission voted to approve the rezoning (5-0).

• Item 6B – BA Townhomes at Bricktown (PUD-002825-2026 / BAZ-002901-2026): The applicant proposed 29 three-bedroom townhomes with attached garages on 2.53 acres, zoned from single-family to RMF with a PUD. Staff recommended approval with three conditions (amending open space justification, landscape buffer wording, and development standards). Public testimony raised significant concerns about traffic, semi-truck parking, stormwater, and tree removal. Commissioners debated whether the off-site issues (traffic, truck parking) should affect the decision. Commissioner Clempa expressed concern that the townhomes were not transitional enough, as surrounding homes are single-family. Commissioner Cohen voted no, citing compatibility concerns. The motion to approve passed 4-1 (Payne, Gorenson, Clempa, Townsend yes; Cohen no). The item will go to city council on July 14, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.

• Item 8A – Zico Global Technology Center Facade Waiver: The commission discussed the proposed metal panel system (smooth architectural panels, custom orange color) and the outdoor employee patio. The waiver was approved unanimously (5-0).

• Commission Remarks: Commissioner Townsend requested staff investigate the semi-truck parking on North Elder Place and report back at the next meeting, noting that the issue should be addressed regardless of the townhome decision. Staff agreed.

Key Outcomes

• Consent item 4B approved (5-0).
• Item 6A (Lynn Lane rezoning) approved (5-0). Will go to city council July 14.
• Item 6B (BA Townhomes at Bricktown) approved (4-1, with Jason Cohen dissenting). Will go to city council July 14.
• Item 8A (Zico facade waiver) approved (5-0).
• Staff directed to investigate semi-truck parking on North Elder Place and report to the planning commission at its next meeting.