Edmond City Council and Public Works Authority Meeting - June 8, 2026

The Edmond City Council and Public Works Authority met on June 8, 2026, to consider a range of items including a hotel site plan, multiple planned unit development (PUD) amendments, a data center moratorium, the FY 2026-27 budget, and other administrative matters. The meeting featured extensive public testimony on drainage concerns, housing affordability, water rates, and data center impacts. Several items were approved or continued, while one PUD amendment failed on a vote.

Consent Calendar

• Several consent agenda items were approved en bloc with the exceptions of items 9B and 9I, which were pulled for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Connie Thair (1000 Blue Ridge Drive) opposed additional apartments, stating there are "monstrosity apartments all over the place" and that such development is not needed in the middle of Edmond.
• Rita Miller (Red Rock Lake Road) opposed the Legacy at Covell PUD amendment due to unresolved drainage problems, claiming a retention pond breach has existed for over two years and that no adequate drainage plan has been provided.
• Amanda Booze (622 West First Street) questioned the affordability of proposed housing relative to healthcare jobs; Todd McKinnis responded that increased density allows for lower rent rates and that Edmond has a housing shortage.
• Taylor Wilson urged the council to consider compliance with the I-35 overlay and said the West Fork PUD should not proceed at this time.
• Andrew Fleet (representing OSU) proposed that any future data center approval require a fully funded cost-benefit analysis covering water, energy, emergency services, property values, and environmental impact.
• Jeff Stokes (3140 Birchwood Circle) expressed support for data centers, arguing they could provide tax revenue and that oil and gas engineering expertise could address water and power needs.
• Angela Hartman (1616 Catch Drive) opposed data centers, citing noise, water usage, and electricity demand, and urged a ban rather than just a moratorium.
• Columbia (earlier speaker) supported the moratorium and asked that data centers be kept out of city limits, noting water rationing and potential national security concerns.
• Wendy Dial (1215 Tourists Drive) supported the moratorium and raised concerns about PFAS contamination and long-term burdens on infrastructure, requesting full public accounting of any incentives.
• John Evans (13872 Twin Ridge Road) asked about eminent domain in relation to data centers.
• David Hennessy (1208 Chipper Lane) described negative health effects from infrasound noise and called for a voter petition to stop data centers.
• Carol Rolls (1725 Bouse Road) urged the council to listen to citizens and raised privacy issues associated with data collection.
• Joe Gadotti (1616 Rustic Creek Drive) presented on water rate structure, arguing that fixed charges disproportionately burden low-use households and proposed a uniform rate with a surcharge plus a donation option for affordability.

Discussion Items

• Site Plan for Tru by Hilton (SP 25-00024): Ken Bryan, Planning Director, presented a 10,000 sq. ft., four-story hotel on Progressive Drive. Two driveway access points required a variance from the 150-foot separation standard; staff had no objections. Planning Commission recommended approval 5-0. The applicant, Jason Spencer, explained the variance was based on low traffic speeds. The council approved the variance and the site plan, each on 5-0 votes.
• Utility Easement Closure (ES26-0003): Ken Bryan presented a request to close a 10-foot utility easement at 441 St. Clair Drive. No utilities were in the easement; Planning Commission recommended approval 5-0. The council approved 5-0.
• Legacy at Covell PUD Amendment (Z18-0005): Todd McKinnis requested increasing residential density from 600 to 950 units and adding a third monument sign. He argued the additional housing would support retail and that no retail would be placed in the less accessible areas of the site. Councilmember Moore expressed concern about the density increase and lack of prior mention during incentive discussions. The council continued the item to June 22, 2026, by a 5-0 vote.
• Club Car Wash PUD (Z26-0001): Todd McKinnis requested a continuance to July 27, 2026, stating he was recently retained. The council continued by a 5-0 vote.
• West Fork PUD (Z26-0009): Ken Bryan presented a 148-acre mixed-use PUD at Coffee Creek and Sooner, including 45 acres for commercial/residential (max 560 units) and 61 acres for single-family (max 320 units). Mr. Lambeth, the applicant, described plans for a live-work environment with a six-story employment building near the floodplain. Councilmembers raised concerns about vague commercial details, lack of retail commitment, and conflict with the I-35 corridor vision. After public opposition, a motion to approve failed 1-4. No other motion was made, and the council recessed and reconvened.
• Data Center Moratorium (Ordinance 4091): Ken Bryan outlined staff research plans to study data center definitions, infrastructure impacts, and lessons learned. Councilmembers expressed support for a temporary pause to avoid unexpected large-scale data centers. A motion to adopt the moratorium passed 5-0, and the emergency clause was also adopted 5-0.
• Purchasing Agent Reporting Change (Ordinance 4092): The ordinance changed the purchasing agent to report to the finance director instead of the assistant city manager. Approved 5-0 with an emergency clause.
• FY 2026-27 Budget: After public comments, the council approved the budget for general and other funds by a 5-0 vote.
• Public Works Authority Items: The EPWA approved the budget, a supplemental appropriation of $41,651.47 for a final incentive payment to Fifth Street Partners, and general consent items. A presentation on a new allowance mechanism for water resources construction contracts was discussed but required no vote.
• Mitch Park Master Plan (9B): Councilmember Murdoch Nichols pulled the item, citing a lack of parking solutions and requesting a 90-day continuance for Parks to revise the plan. The motion passed 5-0.
• Furniture for Mayor’s Office (9I): Councilmember McNichols pulled the item, questioning the need for new furniture. Mayor explained the existing furniture was not suitable for entertaining dignitaries and that the $1,600 purchase from Mathis Home Furniture was the most cost-effective option after local vendors priced three times higher. The motion to approve passed 4-1.
• Legislative Session Recap: Brooks Wright of CSS Partners presented outcomes from the 2026 Oklahoma legislative session, including a property tax state question, a data center customer protection act, and bills affecting local control. No vote was taken.
• Firefighter Radio Grant: Fire Chief Terry Esser requested approval to apply for a $1 million AFG grant to replace portable radios with a 10% city match ($100,000 budgeted). The council approved the application 5-0.

Key Outcomes

• Approved site plan and driveway separation variance for Tru by Hilton (5-0 each).
• Approved utility easement closure (5-0).
• Continued Legacy at Covell PUD amendment to June 22, 2026 (5-0).
• Continued Club Car Wash PUD to July 27, 2026 (5-0).
• Failed to approve West Fork PUD (motion failed 1-4; no further action taken).
• Adopted data center moratorium (Ordinance 4091) with emergency clause (5-0 each).
• Adopted purchasing agent reporting change (Ordinance 4092) with emergency clause (5-0 each).
• Adopted FY 2026-27 budget (5-0).
• Approved supplemental appropriation for Fifth Street Partners incentive payment (5-0).
• Continued Mitch Park Master Plan to August 25, 2026 (5-0).
• Approved furniture purchase for mayor's office (Mathis Home Furniture, $1,600) (4-1).
• Approved grant application for firefighter portable radios (5-0).
• Entered executive session, returned with no announced action.