Edmond City Council approves appointments, but tables rezoning and commercial site plan

While most agenda items were passed and accepted with little debate at Monday's Edmond City Council and Public Works Authority meeting, there were a couple items which presented deeper discussion and, ultimately, delays on decisions.

Eight Mayor and Ward nominations for various committees and boards were made and approved: 

·        Tom Robins to the Guthrie-Edmond Regional Airport Board, to replace Roger Harms; term expires June 2026.

·        Koorosh Zahrai to the Edmond Mobility Commission; term expires June 2026.

·        Sarah Nichols to the Veterans Memorial Advisory Committee, to replace Adam Auten; term expires June 2026.

·        Glinda Pressler to the Edmond Historic Preservation Trust, to replace Michele Koopman; term expires June 2024.

·        Marcus Weinmeister to the Edmond Mobility Commission; term expires June 2026.

·        Brian Holland to the Capital Improvements Project Advisory Board; term expires June 2026 (reappointment).

·        Janis Schwager to the Veterans Memorial Advisory Committee; term expires June 2026 (reappointment).

·        Victoria Caldwell to the Edmond Economic Development Authority; term expires June 2026 (reappointment).

Two public hearing items regarding Titles 16 and 17, which address buildings and fire codes, were approved by Council. The amendments were largely in place to update Edmond’s codes to align with newly adopted state regulations.

Noted changes in Title 16 included requiring Emergency Escape and Rescue Opening, i.e. egress windows, through the fifth floor in buildings (previously only required through third floor) and reducing requirements for remodels of existing homes.

Amendments in Title 17 included reducing the distance between fire access roads and buildings by five feet in the Central Edmond Urban District, which will allow more space to build on land plots.

In commercial buildings not served by city water, Title 17 now allows for certain substitutions, for example, lessening the requirements for hydrants and asking to include alarm systems in buildings without sprinkler systems to alert occupants.

The two main items debated were Case #Z23-00007 and Case #SP23-00001, calling for, respectively, the rezoning for a development located on South Bryan across from Smiling Hill Boulevard and a commercial site plan for The Unida at 16 E. Campbell.

Both items were recommended for approval by the city's Planning Commission, yet both were met with questions and criticism from Council and public participation. The Council chose to table both items for continued discussion and possible action until the July 24 meeting.

To view the video recording of the July 10 meeting and agenda for the Edmond City Council meeting, visit: https://edmondok.new.swagit.com/videos/264093#23820121