Edmond City Council Meeting – September 28, 2026

The Edmond City Council met on September 28, 2026, to consider a range of agenda items including site plans, specific use permits, budget amendments, and community reports. Key outcomes included the denial of the Brakes Plus auto repair site plan and plat following significant public opposition, approval of several massage business permits under new supplemental use standards, and approval of a grant and budget amendment for the West Downtown Walkability project. The meeting also featured a presentation from American Medical Response (AMR) and the annual report from the Community Action Review Commission (CARC).

Consent Calendar

• Reappointment of Jeff Lux to the Stormwater Drainage Advisory Board (term through September 30, 2029) – approved 5–0.
• Approval of general consent docket items for the Public Works Authority (8 items) – approved 5–0.
• Approval of general consent items for the City Council, except items 9I and 9M which were pulled for individual consideration – approved 5–0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Brakes Plus Site Plan (Item 4A/4B): Several residents spoke in opposition.

  • Victor Canero (104 Hanover Drive): Expressed concerns about noise from pneumatic tools, hydraulic lifts, traffic at the entrance to his neighborhood, decreased property values, and lack of buffer. He presented a letter from neighbors and requested denial or strict conditions (masonry wall, landscape buffer, restricted hours, closed bay doors, service doors facing away from homes). He stated the applicant had not contacted the neighborhood.
  • Todd Oberding: Stated that a commercial shop 50 feet from a residence is inconsistent with past Edmond approvals, citing a Google study of 24 shops showing an average distance of 330 feet from homes.
  • Rhonda Canero (wife of Victor): Described audio and video recordings from a local Brakes Plus showing open bay doors, frequent bell noises, car horn honking, and audible employee music. She also raised concerns about chemical smells, cameras overlooking backyards, and lack of prior communication from the applicant.
  • Lori Fornell (next-door neighbor): Emphasized the close proximity (gestured distance) and asked for consideration.
  • Former Mayor Dan O’Neill (101 Stoning Break): Suggested that a city representative attend the applicant’s meeting scheduled for September 30 and that a memo of the discussion be provided to council and planning commission.
  • Lydia Lee (1517 Walnut Cove Road): Urged the council to follow the planning commission’s recommendation to deny, stating the applicant should not get a “do-over” after the September 8 planning commission vote of 1–4.

• Other items: No public comments on lot split (4C), massage permits (4E–4I), utility easement closure (4K), ordinance amendments (4L, 4M), walkability grant (4N), or CARC report.

Discussion Items

• Item 4A/4B – Brakes Plus Site Plan and Final Plat: Staff requested referral to the October 20 planning commission meeting for further study; the applicant concurred. Councilmember Waterson moved to vote that night, expressing opposition to referral. The motion to approve the variance (80-foot right-of-way) failed 0–5, followed by motions on the site plan and plat, both failing 0–5. The applications were denied.
• Item 4C – Lot Split at Herd and Story: Approved 5–0 with no discussion.
• Item 4D – Specific Use Permit for Home Spa Massage (151 E 33rd St, Suite 103): Staff recommended denial because the applicant had not come into compliance with building codes. A motion to approve failed (0–5), resulting in denial.
• Item 4E – Specific Use Permit for Admin Massage and Body Contouring (3409 S Broadway, Suite 612): Approved 5–0, with council agreeing to remove an operating hours condition added by the planning commission, citing lack of applicable criteria.
• Item 4F – Specific Use Permit for Vitality Massage and Shiatsu (3509 S Broadway, Suite 611): Continued to October 12, 2026, to correct an address error (actual address is 3409 S Broadway). Council directed that the item be placed on the consent docket for the next meeting after correction.
• Items 4G, 4H, 4I – Specific Use Permits for Massage by Niche, QM Massage, and Do Massage & Spa: All approved 5–0 after staff confirmed compliance with supplemental use standards.
• Item 4J – Rezoning (Sooner Road): Continued to October 12, 2026, for additional discussions with the applicant.
• Item 4K – Utility Easement Closure: Approved 5–0.
• Item 4L – Ordinance Amendment on Juvenile Records Confidentiality: Approved 5–0.
• Item 4M – Ordinance Amendment on Disorderly Conduct: Approved 5–0 (motion initially miscast by mayor, corrected).
• Item 4N1 – Budget Amendment for West Downtown Walkability Grant: Approved 5–0, adding $258,435 from CIP reserves to cover increased costs from BNSF railroad requirements. Council noted that the CIP board did not vote on the amendment but acknowledged the funds were necessary.
• Item 4N2 – Invoices for Walkability Project ($1,042,254): Approved 5–0.
• Item 9I – Behavioral Health Mobile Crisis Team Grant: Approved 5–0. The grant provides $750,000 per year for four years with no city match, using existing staff to enhance the mobile crisis unit partnership with Community Bridges, Healthy Minds, and DECA.
• Item 9M – Regional Transportation Authority Contribution: Continued to October 12, 2026, due to a $30,000 discrepancy in the invoice amount.
• Item 10B – AMR Presentation: Kier Smith, AMR Operations Manager, presented on staffing investments (Earn Where You Learn program with paramedic school), clinical quality management, upcoming whole blood program (by end of 2026), and cardiac arrest survival statistics. Key data: overall survival rate 17.4% (national 10.4%), bystander CPR rate 21.7% (national 42%), AED use 37% (national 13.8%). AMR provides six day units and four night units in Edmond, with low mutual aid calls. Council discussed options to improve bystander CPR and commended the partnership with Edmond Fire.
• Item 10C – CARC Annual Report: Christy Batterson presented highlights of the $1 million allocation for fiscal year 2026. Funds served over 89,000 individuals through 22 organizations, addressing social/economic disparities and mental health services. Notable: Edmond Mobile Meals served 98,000 meals; Project 66 distributed 1.1 million pounds of food; Heartline 211 provided referrals; Oasis Clubhouse supported adults with mental illness. Council expressed appreciation.

Key Outcomes

• Denied: Brakes Plus site plan, final plat, and variance (all 0–5). Home spa massage specific use permit (motion to approve failed 0–5).
• Approved 5–0: Reappointment (Lux), lot split (4C), massage permits (4E, 4G, 4H, 4I), utility easement closure (4K), ordinances 4L and 4M, walkability budget amendment and invoices (4N1, 4N2), behavioral health grant (9I), all general consent dockets.
• Continued to October 12, 2026: Vitality massage permit (4F) for address correction, rezoning (4J), RTA contribution (9M).
• Next Steps: Staff directed to correct address for 4F and place on consent docket; applicant for Brakes Plus referred to planning commission on October 20, 2026, though applications were denied; AMR to explore options to reduce mutual aid costs; CPR classes continue at Mitch Park; CARC report accepted as information.