Jenks Planning Commission: Riverfront Development and Future Vision

The Jenks Planning Commission convened on Monday, September 23rd, 2024, at 6 PM, to address several key items on their agenda. The meeting saw the approval of various consent agenda items and a significant discussion regarding a new riverfront development project, along with updates on ongoing city planning initiatives.

Key Approval: Riverfront Development

A major point of discussion was Business Item #3, concerning JZ 24 PUD 150, a request by Wallace Design for a Planned Unit Development (PUD) overlay. This project is located at the southeast corner of 101st Street and South Lewis. The property was previously rezoned in November 2023 to Riverfront Tourist Commercial (RTC).

One of the main challenges for this development involved setbacks. For RTC zoning, buildings typically need to be between 0 and 60 feet from the front. However, the developers want the main facade to face the river, which presents a conflict with the city's requirement for a 30-foot river trail. This effectively limits the usable setback to 0-30 feet, making a PUD the best path forward.

Another exception requested was for sign heights:

• Single-tenant monument sign: A maximum height of 10 feet was requested, while the current Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) states 7 feet.
• Multi-tenant sign: A maximum height of 20 feet was requested, compared to the UDO's 14 feet.

Staff found these requests reasonable, especially given the riverfront location and the size of signs at nearby developments like the outlet mall. The project, named In The Raw Riverside, aims to create a beautiful space. It was noted that while the PUD specifically addresses a small portion of the property, there are larger plans for the entire tract.

During the discussion, commissioners inquired about the site plan:

• Parking is primarily on the south and southwest sides.
• The main entrance will be on the east side, facing the river.
• A cul-de-sac on the west side is designated as a customer drop-off area.
• Concerns were raised about the dumpster location on the west side, potentially causing odor issues for patio dining due to prevailing south winds. The applicant, Mark Cer from Wallace Design Collective, acknowledged this.
• It was confirmed that the development plans include a second story with rooftop dining and cocktails, offering views of the river.

After discussion, the motion to approve JZ 24 PUD 150 was passed.

Looking Ahead: City Planning Initiatives

The meeting also included several updates on ongoing and upcoming city planning efforts:

• UL Training: Planning Commissioners were invited to a training session on October 24th.
• Downtown Master Plan: The contract for Beck Design, the consulting firm, is expected to be on the October agenda. A recent meeting with downtown merchants saw a strong turnout, indicating significant community interest.
• Noise Ordinance: A focus group has been established, with the police department actively participating to ensure the ordinance is enforceable and practical. Another meeting is scheduled for Wednesday.
• Land Use Map Amendments: Approximately 18 land use map amendments are slated for October, including five major amendments and several minor ones. There will also be text amendments to address the lack of a