Tulsa Board of Adjustment Meeting 1387 – July 21, 2026

The Board of Adjustment met on July 21, 2026, to consider seven agenda items involving fence height variances, a special exception for a fleet fuel facility, signage variances, a driveway width exception, a manufactured home permit, and a sign height variance. The board approved the minutes of the previous meeting and voted on each case, with mixed outcomes on two items.

Approval of Minutes

• The board unanimously approved the minutes of meeting 1386 held on July 7, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• BOA 24069 (Regent School fence): The applicant (Jesse Stringer) explained that the school inherited a property with a parking lot too close to Memorial Drive, requiring a fence within the right-of-way for security. No public speakers appeared in opposition or support.
• BOA 24070 (Fleet fuel facility): The applicant (Mike Scarborough) stated that the facility would generate only 10–12% of the traffic of a typical convenience store. No public speakers appeared; two neighbors expressed support via phone and in person at the previous hearing.
• BOA 24072 (Cherry Street signs): The applicant (Joel Slaughter) described two blade signs perpendicular to the building, one on 15th Street and one on Rockford, both encroaching into the planned right-of-way. No public speakers appeared.
• BOA 24073 (Driveway width): The applicant (James Walker) explained that the driveway expansion was completed before he purchased the property and that 23 neighboring households submitted letters of support. One letter of opposition regarding drainage was received. Molly Cooley, a neighbor, spoke in support.
• BOA 24074 (Credit union signage): The applicant (Lori Worthington) requested a pylon sign to improve visibility, noting that the building is set far back from the road. No public speakers appeared.
• BOA 24075 (Manufactured home): The applicant (Berseta Medina) stated she wanted to place a new manufactured home on a lot she bought in 2024, seven minutes from her job. No public speakers appeared.
• BOA 24076 (Maverick sign height): The applicant (Casey Swallem) requested a 60-foot sign to compete with nearby signs and overcome the site’s elevation below I-44. No public speakers appeared. Additional exhibits (flag study photos) were submitted during the meeting.

Discussion Items

• BOA 24069 – Fence height and variance: The board discussed the proposed fence alignment. Mr. Hill expressed concern about placing the fence along Memorial Drive, but Ms. Stoffer and Ms. Dumas supported the request, citing ODOT’s lack of objection and the security need after a machete incident. The board voted separately on the special exception and the variance.
• BOA 24070 – Fleet fuel facility: Board members noted the surrounding automotive uses and the low traffic impact. Ms. Dumas raised concerns about ground contamination, but the applicant described modern double-walled tanks with sensors. The board was satisfied.
• BOA 24072 – Signs in right-of-way: The board confirmed that only the two blade signs were in question, and staff clarified that the sign over the entrance was within the property line. All members agreed that such signs are common in urban districts like Cherry Street.
• BOA 24073 – Driveway width: The board noted the minimal relief (31 ft 8 in vs. 30 ft) and the lack of neighbor opposition regarding the driveway itself. The drainage concern was deemed unrelated to the driveway.
• BOA 24074 – Credit union signage: The board discussed the number of existing signs (three) and the request for a fourth. The applicant offered to remove one sign. The board decided to approve a variance from two to three signs, allowing the applicant to choose which to remove.
• BOA 24075 – Manufactured home: Mr. Hill opposed, stating that manufactured homes are not appropriate in neighborhoods with few such homes. Ms. Dumas and Ms. Stoffer supported the request, noting the new unit’s quality and the lack of neighbor objections.
• BOA 24076 – Sign height: The board reviewed the additional flag study images showing the 60-foot sign’s visibility from I-44. Members noted the unique elevation and intersection configuration. Ms. Dumas commented that the height increase was not self-imposed and was the minimum needed.

Key Outcomes

• BOA 24069 – Regent School fence: Special exception approved (4-0); variance approved (3-1, with Mr. Hill dissenting). The special exception permits a fence height of 6 feet in the street setback; the variance permits the fence within the street right-of-way.
• BOA 24070 – Fleet fuel facility: Special exception approved (4-0) to allow commercial vehicle repair and maintenance use in the CS district.
• BOA 24072 – Cherry Street signs: Special exception approved (4-0) to permit two blade signs in the right-of-way.
• BOA 24073 – Driveway width: Special exception approved (4-0) to increase driveway width from 30 feet to 31 feet 8 inches in the RS3 district.
• BOA 24074 – Credit union signage: Variance approved (4-0) to increase the number of permitted signs along the street frontage from two to three in the OM district.
• BOA 24075 – Manufactured home: Special exception approved (3-1, with Mr. Hill dissenting) to permit a manufactured housing unit in the RS3 district.
• BOA 24076 – Maverick sign height: Variance approved (4-0) to increase the permitted freestanding sign height from 40 feet to 60 feet in the CS district, based on the conceptual plans and additional exhibits.