Edmond City Council Meeting – March 9, 2026: Rezonings, Fire Station Design, and CIP Updates
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Edmond City Council Meeting – March 9, 2026
The Edmond City Council held a regular meeting on March 9, 2026, acting on several zoning cases, approving a budget amendment and design contract for Fire Station No. 3, and receiving presentations on water and electric capital improvement projects. All votes were unanimous (5-0 or 4-0) unless noted.
Consent Calendar
- Appointments & Reappointments (Item 3): Six appointments approved 5-0 without discussion.
- Public Works Authority General Consent (Item 6): Five items approved 5-0.
- City Council General Consent (Item 9): Items A through K approved 5-0, with items F and L pulled for individual consideration.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jack Parsons had signed up for citizen comments but was not present; the mayor noted his questions may have been answered beforehand.
- Karen Lacey (200 Brookshire Drive) spoke in favor of the townhome project at Second and University, noting her family owns adjacent property with five apartments. She expressed support but requested alley improvements due to added traffic.
- Dan O’Neill (Edmond Neighborhood Alliance) spoke at length on Item 4C and 4D, criticizing the overuse of Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) and arguing that property rights are being eroded. He referenced a prior city council change to final plat rules and urged greater transparency.
- Todd McKinnis (applicant representative) responded to O’Neill, defending PUDs as a tool for transparency and noting an upcoming Unified Development Code (UDC) may reduce reliance on them.
Discussion Items
4A – Final Plat of Larry Park Phase 1 (Variances)
Staff (Ken Bryan, Planning Director) presented a 10.5‑acre site with 50 lots, private streets/alleys, and two variances: (1) mountable curbs in alleys and (2) reduced minor street right-of-way to 35 ft. Staff and Planning Commission (5-0) recommended approval. A councilmember (likely from prior meetings) asked the applicant about a tree/sprinkler agreement with the neighborhood; the applicant confirmed providing a sprinkler system for the greenbelt and paying for eight hours of arborist consultation. No public opposition. Each variance and the final plat were approved 5-0.
4B – Easement Closing at 1700 South State Street
Electric easement closure was uncontested; staff, Edmund Electric, and Planning Commission (5-0) recommended approval. Approved 5-0.
4C – Rezoning at 201 East Fourth Street (Lexus Cottage on 4th St.)
7,000 sq ft property at NE corner of 4th and Boulevard. Applicant sought a PUD to allow a duplex plus an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), max 3 units. Existing non‑conforming use had four units. Planning Commission recommended approval 4-0. Councilmember questions focused on discrepancy between the PUD document (3 units) and a hand‑drawn plan showing four units; the applicant clarified the drawing was inaccurate and the application limits to 3 units. Councilmember O’Neill spoke against the project, citing the proliferation of PUDs. Mayor and others noted the property owners were misled by a previous seller and are trying to conform. Approved 4-0.
4D – Rezoning at SW Corner East Second & South University (Coal & Holdings PUD)
0.5‑acre site for six attached townhomes. Access from alley, landscaping requirements. Planning Commission recommended approval 4-0. Councilmember O’Neill argued the project could set a precedent for density in the Capitol View neighborhood and criticized the PUD format. Councilmember Nichols suggested a historical (1920s) architectural style; the applicant agreed to be sensitive to that. Councilmember Moore noted he entered leaning “no” but after hearing neighbors’ support (including a letter from a nearby property owner who withdrew opposition) and the applicant’s promise on design, he supported the motion. Approved 4-0.
4E – Urban Forestry Commission Amendments
Updated commission membership from 7 to 9 voting members and clarified nomination/appointment process. Approved 5-0.
4F – Fire Station No. 3 Design
Chief Terry Essary requested a $600,000 budget amendment and $525,000 design contract with GH2 Architects for a new station to replace the 43‑year‑old existing facility. Issues: inadequate female accommodations, small lot requiring trucks to back into traffic, and separation of contaminants. CIP committee approved the budget amendment. Councilmember Cohn noted long‑term maintenance costs but supported proceeding with design. Both items approved 5-0.
Public Works Authority – Water Tower Replacement (Item 7B)
Bid acceptance for a 2.0 MG elevated storage tower at $13.672 million (budget $15.7 million). The project replaces two existing tanks and improves pressure compliance. Approved 5-0.
7C – CIP Presentations
- Water Resources (Will Huggins): Outlined a $650 million five‑year CIP ($480 M water, $178 M wastewater). Highlighted the Water Treatment Plant expansion (three phases: 01A, 01B, 01C) with total estimated cost ~$578 M for the process improvements. 01C construction estimated $327–$392 M, scheduled for completion by 2030. The presentation included a 3D campus model and plans for a public dashboard.
- Edmond Electric (Glenn Fisher): Reviewed substation projects (Mitch, Garbage, Arcadia, Coffee Creek, Red Bud) totaling ~$7 M–$13 M each. Detailed pole testing program ($2 M/year), feeder upgrades, and road relocation costs. Noted $4 M in federal community project funding for the Arcadia substation.
9F – Budget Adjustment Policy
Adopted resolution 03-26 formalizing budget adjustment thresholds ($10,000 or 10%, whichever greater). Replaced the temporary policy from August 2025. Approved 5-0.
9L – Automatic Aid Agreement with Arcadia
Interlocal agreement between Edmond and Arcadia Fire Departments to provide reciprocal automatic aid. Chief Essary noted it will improve ISO ratings (many areas currently not Class 1) and reduce homeowners insurance premiums. Councilmember praised the partnership. Approved 5-0.
10B – Sole Provider Purchase for Safe Fleet Mobile Vision
Waiver of competitive bids to pay a $25,766.25 invoice for FY25 maintenance on in‑car/body‑worn cameras. Funds available; approved 5-0.
10C – Budget Process Recommendations
Adopted recommendations from the Budget Reform Committee, including changes to the budget format and process. Approved 5-0.
10D – City Council Travel Policy
Resolution 04-26 establishes conditions for prepayment/reimbursement of in‑state and out‑of‑state travel for the mayor and council. Effective immediately. Approved 5-0.
11 – Executive Session
Council moved into executive session and later resumed without public action.
Key Outcomes
- Votes 5-0: Items 3, 4A (three votes), 4B, 4E, 4F (two votes), 7B, 9F, 9L, 10B, 10C, 10D, and all consent items.
- Votes 4-0: Items 4C, 4D (one member may have recused or been absent; no explanation in transcript).
- Decisions: Approved two PUD rezonings (4C, 4D). Authorized design of Fire Station 3. Adopted new budget and travel policies. Approved automatic aid agreement with Arcadia.
- Next Steps: Continued budget workshops; rate study for water/wastewater to support CIP; UDC public sessions ongoing; Arbor Week celebrations beginning before next meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. This is our second attempt at our new agenda format. And hopefully we do better than last time. So item two is citizen comments. We had one person who signed up, Jack Parsons. It is possible though that he got his questions answered beforehand. If Mr. Parsons is here and would like to come forward. Otherwise, we will move on to item three. I don't see him. So we're moving on to item three. Appointments and reappointments. We have six total this evening. I would entertain a motion to approve all of them. So move, Mayor. Second. I have a motion and a second. Cast your vote. Motion passes 5-0. Item 4 is City Council public hearing items. 4A is case number PR 2500008. Public hearing consideration of approval of final plat of Larry Park Phase 1, located northeast of Coffee Creek and Coal Train. Said consideration to include a consideration of approval of the following variances to Title 21, subdivisions of the Edmund Municipal Code. Mr. Bryan, I'm gonna let you take it from here. Thank you, sir. Ken Bryan, Director of Planning. Note that final plat approvals are typically included on the consent agenda. This one has two variances requested, so we were asking for individual consideration for each variance in addition to the final plat. The approximately 10.5 acre subject property is located on the north side of Coffee Creek, approximately half a mile east of Covell. Case details include that this is phase one, which encompasses approximately 12% of the overall Liberty Park preliminary plat, which was approved in 2025. This final plat includes 50 lots. It has private streets and alleys. Two variances are requested. A variance to Title 2103040 to allow mountable curbs to be used in the alleys. As these are private improvements, and the owner will be responsible for their ongoing maintenance. Staff is not opposed to this variance. Variance two, a variance to title 21020 sub-C to reduce the minimum right-of-way for minor street to 35 feet. Staff does not oppose this variance because the streets are private and easements are being provided to allow adequate space for future maintenance. At their regular public hearing on February 17, 2026, Planning Commission concurred with staff and recommended approval of each variance in the final plat by votes of five to zero. Would the applicant like to add anything? Not unless anyone wants it. Is there anyone in the audience that would like to address this issue? Mr. Mayor, I have a question for the applicant. I believe Mr. Heisler, Mr. Walters can answer it. If you could one of you could step up. I was just going to answer that.
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