Broken Arrow City Council Meeting: October 6, 2026 – Rezoning, Development Agreements, and Appointments

The Broken Arrow City Council met on October 6, 2026 at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included a consent agenda with routine approvals, a public hearing on a rezoning application, presentations, recognitions, and several general council business items including development agreements, bond resolutions, and appointments. Key decisions included approval of a rezoning for Creek Line Village, a development agreement for Ven Park, multiple bond sales, and a one-time noise waiver for a New Year’s Eve concert.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously with the exception of Item AM (Transit agreement with Tulsa Transit), which was pulled for discussion and later approved separately.
• Routine items approved included: meeting minutes (September 1 and 15, 2026), Planning Commission minutes (August 27 and September 10, 2026), three budget amendments (Nos. 15, 16, 17 for FY2027), a proclamation for “America the Entrepreneurial”, construction contracts, equipment purchases, easements, surplus declarations, a claims list, and several other administrative actions (Items A–AL, AN–AQ).

Presentations and Proclamations

• Youth City Council Swearing-In (Item 7A): The council recognized the 25th year of the program. Twelve new members (five freshmen, seven sophomores) were sworn in, bringing total membership to 25 for the 2026–2027 school year. Vice Mayor Parks and Councilor Green serve as sponsors.
• Farmer’s CO-OP History Plaque (Item 7B): Staff presented two plaque options for the grain silo. Council requested color, inclusion of historical names (e.g., Orville White, McDerris), a QR code linking to the city website, and recognition of current council members. Staff will revise and bring the plan back at the next meeting.
• Manufacturing Month Proclamation (Item 7C): The council declared October 2026 as “Manufacturing Month”. Amber Miller (interim president/CEO of the Chamber & EDC) highlighted that Broken Arrow is home to 300 manufacturers employing over 5,800 people with an average annual wage of $85,000, ranking third in Oklahoma for manufacturing. The proclamation was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rezoning Public Hearing (Item 7D – BAZ-003014-2026): Several residents spoke in opposition to the proposed RSC (single-family residential compact) zoning on 39.18 acres at Creek Line Village.
  • Aaron Stoffel (west-side neighbor) requested denial, citing a lack of transition from RSC to adjacent commercial, and asked for a buffer fence to protect his horses from future residents.
  • Joyce Sanders (frontage on 193rd) expressed concerns about insufficient entrance width (660 feet) and requested 60-foot lots instead of 50-foot frontages.
  • Artie Locke (north side) opposed density, raised concerns about school capacity (noting 3,000+ homes already approved), infrastructure, and a possible Indian burial ground on the site. He argued the comprehensive plan designation may no longer be appropriate.
  • Rick Bates reiterated that the development does not fit the surrounding area (1-2 acre lots) and called it “postage stamp” lots.
  • A later speaker (south-side landowner) raised concerns about drainage from the proposed 160 homes and asked for assurance that detention would be adequate.
  • Joyce Sanders returned to reiterate concerns about a known cemetery on the property and asked when construction would stop if remains were found.
• The applicant’s attorney, Natalie Cornette (Eller & Dietrich), stated that due diligence with the Oklahoma Archaeological Survey found no evidence of a burial ground, that the RSC district is the best fit (50-foot lots, 25% open space, exceeding 15% requirement), and that the comprehensive plan has designated this area urban residential since 1997. She noted willingness to add buffers and a fence along the west boundary.

Discussion Items

• Transit Agreement with Tulsa Transit (Item AM – 26-1568): Rocky Hinkle, Community Development Director, explained that the current pilot program (Phase 1 & 2) averages 850 riders per month in 2026, up 273% from 2024. Phase 3 (weekend service) was not feasible this fiscal year due to driver shortages and app-access issues. The city is hopeful that MTTA will provide weekend drivers next fiscal year. The agreement for FY2027 was approved.
• Rezoning – Creek Line Village (Item 7D): Following the public hearing, the council closed the hearing and voted on the rezoning. A motion to approve BAZ-003014-2026 (RSC) was made, seconded, and passed. (Vote tally not specified in transcript; likely unanimous or majority – the transcript shows “Motion passes.”)
• Conditional Final Plat – County Line Crossing (Item 9A – PT-003063-2025): Rocky Hinkle presented the plat for 166 lots on 49 acres. No public speakers. Justin Morgan (Tanner Consulting) confirmed engineering is underway and buffers have been preserved. The plat was approved unanimously.
• Development Agreement for Ven Park (Item 9B): Staff recommended approval of an agreement for public infrastructure improvements (road connectivity on Madison and Birch, conversion of a dry detention pond to a wet pond) associated with a mixed-use development (single-family, cottages, townhomes, retail, live-work spaces). The plan is unique and helps solve existing access issues. Approved unanimously.
• Angie Gallant Appointment to Drainage Advisory Committee (Item 9C): Mayor Wimpee nominated Gallant, who researched drainage issues and expressed interest. The council approved the appointment with a term expiring October 6, 2030.
• Central Park Plaza Roadway Panel Replacement (Item 9D – ST26170): Acting City Manager Schwab noted the low bidder could not provide bonds, so the council awarded the contract to Cherokee Pride Construction for $673,380 (the second-lowest bid). Cherokee Pride has a good track record with the city. Approved unanimously.
• One-Time Noise Waiver (Item 9E): The council approved a waiver from 11:00 PM December 31, 2026 to 1:00 AM January 1, 2027 for a New Year’s Eve concert at Regent Bank Amphitheater. The noise ordinance normally restricts objectionable sounds from 11 PM to 7 AM (midnight on Friday/Saturday). Because New Year’s Eve falls on a Thursday, a one-time waiver was granted.
• Bond Resolutions (Items 9F, 9G, 9H): Three series of general obligation bonds were approved:
  • Series 2026A (9th series from 2018 election): $3,130,000 for streets, $5,000,000 for public safety facilities, $1,645,000 for stormwater (includes Lancaster Park detention facility, inadvertently omitted from list but corrected).
  • Series 2026B (1st series from 2026 election): $9,451,000 for streets (Prop 1), $3,248,000 for quality of life (Prop 3), $2,051,000 for public facilities (Prop 4).
  • Series 2026C (1st series from 2026 election for Props 5 & 6): $1,156,000 for stormwater and $844,000 for drainage. All bonds will have 20-year terms, price in November, and close in December.
• NLC Voting Delegate (Item 9I): The council appointed Mayor Wimpee as voting delegate and Vice Mayor Parks as alternate for the National League of Cities Annual Business Meeting on November 21, 2026 in Nashville.
• Preview Ordinances (Items 10A, 10B, 10C):
  • 10A: Ordinance closing a portion of right-of-way near Kenosha Street for Broken Arrow Public Schools auditorium. Previewed; no vote taken.
  • 10B: Ordinance amending Chapter 5 (Signs) to allow limited commercial banners on city-owned light poles in the events park (for Regent Bank Amphitheater and NSU). The council set it for planning commission review.
  • 10C: Ordinance adopting the 2024 International Fire Code (update from 2018). Previewed and set for adoption at the next meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved minus Item AM, which was later approved separately (all items unanimous).
• Youth City Council sworn in – 12 new members for 2026–2027.
• Manufacturing Month proclamation approved unanimously.
• Rezoning BAZ-003014-2026 (Creek Line Village) approved after public hearing.
• Conditional Final Plat for County Line Crossing (166 lots) approved.
• Development agreement for Ven Park approved.
• Angie Gallant appointed to Drainage Advisory Committee (term 2030).
• Central Park Plaza project awarded to Cherokee Pride Construction ($673,380).
• One-time noise waiver approved for New Year’s Eve concert.
• Three bond resolutions (Series 2026A, B, C) approved.
• NLC delegates appointed.
• Preview ordinances moved forward (10B set for planning commission, 10C set for adoption).
• Executive session held for pending investigation (tort claim) and eminent domain litigation; council reconvened but no further action reported in open session.

Note: The meeting was recessed for executive session and then the Broken Arrow Municipal Authority meeting was called to order; the transcript ends during that call.