After public objections, commission recommends 4200 SW 29th rezoning with larger setbacks, stronger fencing and materials limits

The Oklahoma City Planning Commission on April 9 recommended approval of PUD 2134, a multifamily rezoning at 4200 Southwest 29th Street, after a robust public hearing that included concerns from nearby property owners and farmland operators about traffic, livestock safety and privacy.

Applicant Mark Zitz (Johnson & Associates) described the proposal as a multifamily project located close to job centers, hotels and commercial services; he said the design includes screening and landscape buffers. Nearby landowners including Mike Jolly and Robert Parmley spoke at the hearing, citing worries about increased traffic on SW 29th, late‑night activity, potential crime, and the need for a secure fence to protect horses and livestock on adjacent properties. Jolly said he “heard about this over the last 24–36 hours” and asked for more time to evaluate traffic and safety impacts.

Commissioners negotiated multiple edits with the applicant. The applicant agreed to increase east/west setbacks to 25 feet (with a 5‑foot landscape component) and the south setback to 15 feet with deciduous trees planted on 30‑foot centers; to limit cement‑fiber board facade coverage to 40%; to move metal/wood cladding into a lower‑percentage category (30%); and to require an 8‑foot stained, capped cedar fence on galvanized posts with a minimum 1‑inch picket thickness along the south, east and west property lines abutting residences. The commission also directed that building and parking placement be reviewed at the specific‑plan stage and set a 45‑foot, four‑story maximum building height cap in PUD language to prevent unbounded heights.

Commissioner Meek led the discussion about neighbor outreach and negotiated the list of TE amendments that the applicant agreed to read into the record; Commissioner Meek’s motion to recommend approval with the amended TEs passed by voice vote.

Why it matters: The commission preserved the applicant’s ability to develop multifamily housing while strengthening buffers, materials standards and fence requirements to address neighbors’ concerns — particularly those of nearby property owners with animals and industrial neighbors. The applicant also noted a funding window and requested a relatively fast council review; the commission stressed council is the final decision maker and recommended additional outreach.

Next steps: The recommendation will be forwarded to city council for a final decision; the applicant will return with specific‑plan and architectural details at permitting, where the agreed TE language (setbacks, fence details, material limits) must be implemented.