2024.12.19 Jenks Planning Commission Meeting 6PM

This meeting of the Jenks Planning Commission covered several key agenda items, including a minor amendment to a Planned Unit Development (PUD), a request for a specific use permit for an event venue, and zoning changes for a new residential development. The commission addressed issues ranging from minimum square footage requirements for homes to parking concerns in the downtown area and lot sizes for new subdivisions.

Key Takeaways From The Meeting

• Frasier Meadows Minor Amendment: The commission approved a minor amendment to a PUD allowing homes under 1800 square feet on specific lots in Frasier Meadows, addressing a discrepancy between the plat and PUD documents.
• Downtown Event Venue Permit: A request for a specific use permit for an event venue at 110 East Main Street was tabled. Concerns about parking availability and capacity limits for the venue were primary factors in the decision.
• Kimberly Estates Development: The commission approved a PUD overlay and zoning change for a new residential development, Kimberly Estates, west of Kimberly Clark Place and south of 131st Street. This approval included conditions related to lot width, masonry, and road design.
• Zoning Code Updates: Amendments to the Jenks Zoning Code, specifically regarding bulk and dimensional standards for new developments, were accepted. These changes aim to better align with the city's comprehensive plan and address concerns about lot sizes.

Addressing Discrepancies in Frasier Meadows

The meeting began with the consideration of the consent agenda. Item D, a request for a minor amendment to PUD 1116 for Frasier Meadows, was pulled for further discussion. This amendment aimed to allow homes under 1800 square feet on specific lots within the development. The issue arose from a discrepancy between the filed plat, which allowed for a minimum of 1600 square feet, and the approved PUD document, which required 1800 square feet. This discrepancy affected 11 homes, some already built or with applications in process. Staff explained that minimum square footage requirements have been a common part of the PUD process in Jenks for years, though not strictly regulated by zoning. After discussion, the commission voted to approve the minor amendment, recognizing the hardship on homeowners who were unaware of the conflict between the two legally binding documents.

Downtown Event Venue: Parking and Capacity Concerns

Item three involved a request for a specific use permit for an event venue at 110 East Main Street. The applicant, ReMax, proposed using a portion of their office space for small events. The primary concerns raised by the commission and staff revolved around parking availability in the downtown core and the potential capacity of the venue. While the applicant stated they were looking for a capacity of around 40 people for small events like birthday parties and pop-up shops, building inspections had calculated a maximum capacity of 160 in the front and 50 in the rear. The commission debated the potential impact on existing downtown restaurants and parking. Ultimately, the motion to approve the permit as presented failed due to concerns about parking and a lack of definitive capacity limits. A subsequent motion to table the item for further information, including a parking plan and a report from the fire marshal on capacity, was approved.

Kimberly Estates: A New Residential Development

Item four focused on a request for a Planned Unit Development (PUD) overlay and zoning change from Agricultural to RS2 (Residential Single Family) for a property west of Kimberly Clark Place and south of 131st Street, to be known as Kimberly Estates. This project proposed 260 lots, with amenities including a splash pad, sport court, and trails. The commission discussed the property's history, previous development attempts, and concerns raised by neighboring residents, particularly regarding traffic and lot sizes. The applicant proposed a minimum lot width of 55 feet, a deviation from the previous application's 40-50 foot lots. After public comment, which highlighted concerns about traffic congestion, school overcrowding, and the concentration of amenities, the commission moved to approve the PUD and zoning change. The approval included conditions: ensuring 100% masonry for building materials, amending the site plan to address a long, straight road that could become a speedway, and allowing flexibility in the PUD for the links and nodes ratio to address this road design.

Zoning Code Updates and Lot Size Considerations

Item five addressed updates to Chapter 16, Article 3, Section 1 of the Jenks Zoning Code, specifically amending bulk and dimensional standards for new developments. The proposed changes aimed to increase minimum lot requirements for certain residential zonings, reflecting a desire for larger lots and better alignment with the city's comprehensive plan. The commission discussed the rationale behind increasing the minimum lot width from 55 feet to 60 feet for RS2 zoning, with some commissioners expressing concern that simply widening the lot without increasing the lot area might not achieve the desired outcome of larger overall lot sizes. The motion to accept these UDO adjustments passed, with discussions clarifying that the intent was to improve the aesthetic from the street and potentially reduce the number of driveways. The commission also touched upon the ongoing parking study for downtown, acknowledging its importance in addressing future development and traffic flow.

Parking Study and Downtown Development

Throughout the meeting, parking in the downtown area was a recurring theme, particularly in relation to the event venue proposal. Commissioners and the public voiced concerns about the capacity of existing parking and the potential impact of new venues on restaurant patrons. The city is undertaking a downtown master plan and a parking study to better understand capacity and identify solutions. The results of this study are expected to provide guidance on future development and parking management strategies. The discussion highlighted the need to balance new development with the existing infrastructure and the desire to maintain the vibrancy of Main Street.