Edmond City Council Meeting on August 10, 2026 Approves Zoning Changes, Denies Car Wash
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Edmond City Council Meeting - August 10, 2026
The Edmond City Council convened on August 10, 2026, to address a range of items including rezoning requests, budget amendments, and a presentation on a Veterans Flag Retirement Area. After hearing public comments from massage therapists concerned about new permit requirements, the council moved through public hearings and other business, ultimately passing several measures and denying one rezoning.
Consent Calendar
- The council approved the Edmond Public Works Authority general consent docket (minus item 6D1) and the City Council general consent docket (minus items 9C and 9N) without discussion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Victoria Johnson, owner of Kinetic Sens Therapies, expressed full support for the city's efforts against illegal massage establishments but voiced concern that ordinance 4086 required existing law-abiding massage businesses to obtain a specific use permit (SUP) by December 31. She noted costs of several hundred dollars and asked the council to explain how lawful businesses' rights were considered.
- Wendy Spinelli, owner of Edmond Massage and Body Contouring, argued that licensed massage therapists are already regulated by the state and should not have to prove their innocence. She stated the permit process has already cost her over $400, with total expected to exceed $500, and called the requirement "burden shifting."
Discussion Items
- 4A. Legacy at Covell PUD Amendment: The council considered ordinance 4088 to amend the Legacy at Covell planned unit development, combining two development areas and adjusting residential units from 950 to 850. Staff noted the Planning Commission recommended approval 4-1 on May 19, 2026. Applicant Todd McKinnis said the density was needed to support retail development. Public speaker Ms. Miller opposed, citing drainage and floodplain concerns. The council approved the rezoning 5-0.
- 4B. Club Car Wash PUD: Ordinance 4089 would rezone about one acre at Covell Crossing to allow an automated car wash. The Planning Commission denied it 1-4 on May 19, 2026. Neighbors and council members raised concerns about compatibility, noise, water use, and lack of sales tax revenue. The motion to approve failed 0-5.
- 4C. OCA Sports Complex PUD: Ordinance 4095 rezones 4.7 acres at 1100 East Ninth Street for indoor and outdoor recreation and school functions. The Planning Commission recommended approval 3-0 on July 21, 2026. Public comments included a request for two driveways and support from a neighbor. The council approved 5-0.
- 4D. Woodland Park 8 Final Plat: The council approved the final plat with conditions, including a permanent drainage structure for lots 33 and 34 and specific grading plans. The applicant also agreed to appear before the Stormwater Advisory Board. The vote was 5-0.
- 4E. Scrivener's Error Correction: Ordinance 4096 corrected the title of ordinance 4071. Approved 5-0 with an emergency clause.
- 4F. Weeds and Trash Abatement Fees: Ordinance 4097 increased penalties/fees for violations, which had not been adjusted since 2003. Approved 5-0.
- 4G. Library and YMCA Supplemental Agreement: The council approved a third supplemental agreement with the YMCA for $476,480.92 and the associated budget amendment. Both passed 5-0.
- 4H. Edmond Historical Museum Budget: A $300,000 supplemental appropriation from CIP reserves for museum improvements was approved 5-0.
- 9C. Meeting Location Change: The council directed the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and Arcadia Lake Commission to meet in City Hall beginning September 2026. Passed 5-0.
- 9N. Peer City Visit to Carmel, Indiana: A request to fund travel for Mayor Nash and Councilman Watterson was continued to the next meeting after discussion about expanding participation. The motion to continue passed 5-0.
- 10B. Veterans Flag Retirement Area Update: Staff presented an update on the project using $22,000 in funds for a flag retirement pit in Stevenson Park. No action was taken.
Key Outcomes
- Approved Legacy at Covell PUD amendment (5-0).
- Denied Club Car Wash PUD (motion failed 0-5).
- Approved OCA Sports Complex PUD (5-0).
- Approved Woodland Park 8 final plat with conditions (5-0).
- Approved ordinance 4096 correcting scrivener's error (5-0).
- Approved ordinance 4097 increasing weed and trash abatement fees (5-0).
- Approved library/YMCA supplemental agreement and budget amendment (both 5-0).
- Approved $300,000 budget amendment for Edmond Historical Museum (5-0).
- Directed Parks Board and Arcadia Lake Commission to meet in City Hall (5-0).
- Continued travel request for Carmel, Indiana visit to next meeting (5-0).
Meeting Transcript
See Annie, she's not waving any more for me. We good with three, Katie. Just the three. So first up, we're gonna have Victoria Johnson and Ms. Johnson. When you come forward, please state your name and your address, and remember you will be addressing me, not the whole council. Correct. And you have three minutes. Okay. My name is Victoria Johnson, and I own and operate a business in Edmund called Kinetic Sens Therapies. It's at 336 Northeast 145th Place in Edmund. I'm a licensed massage therapist as well as a graduate of UCO. I'm speaking tonight because I'm concerned about the requirements imposed on the existing massage business ordinance 4086. I want to be really clear that I support the city's efforts to address illegal massage establishments. Those businesses hurt our community and they also hurt legitimate massage therapists. We have invested our time, education, past state licensing requirements, and maintain professional insurance, continuing education, and work really hard to operate legitimate businesses. My concern is that the solution is placing substantial burdens on the same professionals who were already following the law. Under this ordinance, the existing massage therapy businesses that were legally operating before May 26th must now obtain a specific use permit SUP, simply to continue existing within their current location. This isn't just a business license, this is a land use approval process that involves application fees, property owner records, notifications, a large public zoning sign, and as well as planning commission reviews and city council reviews. The therapists going through this process are reporting costs of several hundred dollars in addition to significant time and administrative efforts. Many massage businesses, including myself, are not large companies. They're individual therapists working really small businesses. But the state did not require Edmund to put this particular thing, this particular existence, the SPU, in the process. That was a local policy choice. Oklahoma law also recognizes the continuation of lawful uses that existed before zoning requirements were changed. Because of that, I would respect respectfully like to ask that you all, the city attorney and council, explain how the rights of businesses were that were operating lawfully before the ordinance were considered when requiring every specific business to obtain a new SUP permit by December 31st. What is particularly important is that this ordinance was considered and the council expressed concern about creating undue hardship. Thank you. Thank you. Wendy Spinail. Did I say that right? Spinale, but that was sort of good evening. My name is Wendy Spinelli. I'm a licensed massage therapist and owner at Edmund Massage and Body Contouring at 3409 South Broadway. I am the sole employee of my business, and I have practiced massage therapy professionally for 20 years. I understand the city council adopted specific use permit required in response to illegal and illicit massage operations. Licensed law-abiding professionals should not have to prove we are not criminals because others may be violating the law. Licensed massage therapists in Oklahoma are already regulated by the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. We must complete 500 hours of education, pass the MLEX exam, which is extremely hard, maintain a current state approved license, and carry professional liability insurance. We have already done the work and met the requirements to operate legally in the state of Oklahoma. The current current permit process has already cost me over 400. That is for the application, the notification of other businesses surrounding me, the county assessor's office in order to get the names and the addresses of those businesses, a zoning banner expense with the total cost expects to exceed over 500. For a small single business person that is in a real financial burden, the real financial burden imposed on somebody who is already compliant with the state law. The responsibility for identifying investigating and shutting down illegal businesses belongs to law enforcement and the city council, not to licensed professionals already following the law. A legitimate business owner should not have to spend hundreds of dollars, post public notices, and appear before government bodies to prove innocence. That is not targeted in form enforcement. That is burden shifting. I respectfully urge the council to reconsider the requirements and focus city resources in eagle law on illegal operators, non-compliant small business owners. Please do not make licensed massage therapists collateral damage in the effort to address criminal activity. We are not the problem, and we should not be treated as though we are.
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