2025.05.08 Jenks Planning Commission Meeting 6PM

The Jenks Planning Commission met on Thursday, May 8th, to discuss several key agenda items. The meeting covered the approval of a consent agenda, with a specific focus on the Glenwood Ridge Plat, and a significant discussion regarding a major amendment to PUD 116 for Frasier Meadows 2, concerning minimum livability space requirements.

Key Takeaways From The Meeting

• Glenwood Ridge Plat Approval: The commission approved the Glenwood Ridge Plat, with a condition that the amenities package would be reviewed separately before final platting.
• Frasier Meadows 2 Amendment: A lengthy discussion took place regarding a request to reduce the minimum livability space in Frasier Meadows 2 from 1,800 to 1,600 square feet. This amendment stemmed from historical issues with how PUD language was incorporated into plats, leading to discrepancies.
• PUD vs. Plat Document Clarity: A significant portion of the meeting focused on clarifying the roles and importance of both the Planned Unit Development (PUD) documents and the subdivision plats, especially concerning how standards like minimum house size are communicated and enforced.
• Enforcement and Future Processes: The commission and staff discussed how to prevent similar issues in the future, including the decision to keep PUD language separate from plats and to enforce the PUD as the primary guiding document.

Navigating Development Standards: The Frasier Meadows Case

The meeting highlighted a complex history with the Frasier Meadows development, specifically PUD 116. Over the years, there have been several amendments, including issues with street realignments, build line adjustments, and most notably, discrepancies in minimum livability space requirements. The core of the issue revolved around the PUD originally specifying a minimum of 1,800 square feet for homes, while some plats were filed with a 1,600 square foot minimum. This created confusion for builders and homeowners alike, potentially clouding property titles.

The Discrepancy Explained

Staff explained that the PUD is the legally binding document approved by the city, while plats are also legal documents but can sometimes contain errors or outdated information if not properly amended. In the case of Frasier Meadows, it was discovered that the PUD language regarding minimum house size was not consistently updated in the plats. This led to situations where homes were built to a 1,600 square foot standard, even though the PUD mandated 1,800 square feet. This was partly attributed to a misunderstanding or miscommunication regarding whether house size was a PUD requirement, with some believing it should be handled through private covenants instead.

Public Input and Concerns

Several residents spoke during the public comment period, expressing concerns about the potential impact of reducing the minimum square footage. Homeowners who had built larger homes based on the 1,800 square foot requirement worried about property values and the fairness of allowing smaller homes. They emphasized the importance of clear communication and adherence to established standards.

Commission's Decision and Future Implications

After extensive discussion, the commission voted to deny the request to change the minimum livability space to 1,600 square feet for Phase 2 of Frasier Meadows. The decision was made to maintain the 1,800 square foot minimum as stipulated in the PUD. This upholds the principle that the PUD is the governing document and reinforces the city's commitment to enforcing its standards. The commission also affirmed the policy of keeping PUD language separate from plats to avoid future confusion and ensure clarity in development standards. The discussion also touched upon the need for clear communication channels and the importance of builders and developers relying on the official PUD documents for accurate project requirements.