Plans to build homes over plugged oil well concern Planning Commissioners

Planning Commissioners approved a preliminary plat with a list of conditions including the removal three lots on and near a plugged oil well located north of the Stillwater Junior High School and Skyline Elementary.

A preliminary plat submitted at the Jan. 7, 2025, meeting for Greenheart Place contained 16 duplexes and 38 single-family homes lots in the Quail Meadows subdivision.

Associate City Planner, Diana Hood, presented findings from City staff’s report noting staff was reviewing the pipeline easements and documentation on the plugged oil well on the property.

Development Services Director, David Barth, recommended that the final plat have separate easements for drainage and utilities. Barth also mentioned the Oklahoma Corporate Commission shows the oil well has been plugged 4 feet below the surface.

In response to concerns about the plugged oil well, Aaron Ferguson with the Stillwater-based civil engineering firm, Bancroft Design, formerly known as Keystone Engineering, suggested a note about the oil well being placed on the final plat. Commissioners questioned if that information could be more noticeable with placement on the property deed.

“If there could be additional information on what resources are available or what common practices are available to advise a homeowner that this well is there, I would be willing to table this and get additional information,” Planning Commission Chair, Jana Phillips said. “I wouldn’t want to try to rely on something that hasn’t been done before.”

Assistant City Attorney, Kim Payne, told Commissioners that staff had previously spent time to get more information on a similar project concerning plugged wells.

“We kind of hit a dead-end road on anyone else who could give us advice,” Payne said. “But I’m not saying we cannot do that again.”

Commissioner Mike Shanahan shared his concerns about how subsequent homeowners would be informed. Phillips agreed. Ferguson restated his suggestion of putting it on the final plat, which is a public record.

Shanahan asked if the project could still be viable if the two lots were removed. Ferguson said he didn’t know if a single lot would be economically worth it due to the cost of the sewer line extension.

“I would hate to disapprove the plat based on the necessity for additional housing in the area due to an issue on just one or two lots,” Shanahan said. “I just think there’s a degree of risk here that I wouldn’t want to take.”

Phillips motioned to approve the preliminary plat with considerations from City staff’s findings addressing the drainage and utility easement separation and the right-of-way easements to be closed in addition to the removal of the three lots near the plugged oil well. Shanahan seconded, and the motion passed 5-0.

The applicant, Robert Pierce with Seventh Chapter Land Trust will have one year to submit a final plat reflecting the changes requested by Planning Commissioners before it is sent to City Council for final approval.

Zoning Map Amendment approved for proposed animal welfare facility near airport

In anticipation of a bond proposal for a new animal welfare facility, City staff requested a zoning change from light industrial to public for the property situated at 2020 W. Airport Road. 

During the public hearing, nearby resident Gary Cottongim asked if the City has studied potential noise and odors coming from the proposed facility. Tom Houston, who lives in a neighborhood south of the proposed location, shared his concerns about potential flooding and erosion. 

Associate City Planner, Diana Hood, assured the Commission that potential flooding and erosion would be considered during the building permit process. Development Services Director, David Barth, said no formal studies have been completed on possible noise or odor issues and all due diligence will be made not to cause issues to near by neighborhoods. Barth reminded Commissioners that they are only presenting a map amendment request.

Stillwater Regional Airport Director, Kellie Reed, informed Commissioners that the City did obtain the Federal Aviation Administration’s approval for the proposed use, and the airport is in support of the project.

Chair Jana Phillips noted there is a sufficient buffer between the property and neighborhoods to the south and east. Commissioners recommended the map amendment to City Council with a vote of 5-0.

• Next Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, City Councilors will receive an update on the proposal for an animal welfare facility. The meeting agenda shows City staff will have a presentation on the layout, cost estimate, and community impact of the proposed facility. In a separate item, Assistant City Manager, Christy Cluck, will present information on a general obligation bond proposition for an April 1, 2025, election.
• Note that documents for both presentations were not included in the agenda packet that is available on the city's website.

Commissioners table map amendment request by Stillwater Public Schools

Commissioners tabled a map amendment request to rezone property at 5021 N. Perkins Road to Public. The property is owned by Stillwater Public Schools and is home to school support services and school transportation storage.

The property is currently a mix of 5 different zones: Agriculture, Light Industrial, Office, Multi-Family, and Commercial General. Chair, Jana Phillips, questioned City staff on the possible uses Public zoning would allow.

“The reason I ask is because this abuts residential,” Phillips said. “Is it required to be Public if the school district is going to use it for school district purposes? Could something go here that we wouldn’t find in other zonings that abut the residential zoning to the north?” Phillips questioned.

“There are certain requirements like screening and landscaping when certain structures or certain uses happen close to a residential district,” Associate City Planner, Diana Hood, said.

Phillips asked if Public zoning would allow for a public park, a warehouse, or a public dump?

“There is no set list of allowed uses by right in the Public zoning district,” Hood said. “I do know that the property will still be owned by the independent school district. I know they are planning to continue to use it for supplementary offices and as storage for their school buses.”

Assistant City Attorney, Kim Payne, recommended to Commissioners that staff could research the topic more and return with additional information. Phillips then motioned to table the item until the Jan. 28, 2025, Planning Commission meeting. Commissioners agreed with a 5-0 vote.

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