Edmond council approves U-Haul site plan and setback variance for Broadway project

Edmond — The City Council approved a site plan and a variance for a proposed U-Haul facility on about 6.3 acres on the west side of Broadway near 10th Street. Planning staff described two buildings — a roughly 27,000-square-foot west building and an 88,000-square-foot east building — with building heights of 39 feet and 45 feet respectively, and a metal-panel facade.

Todd McInnis, speaking for the applicant, told the council the project includes closing three of five curb cuts to improve traffic flow and aligning the remaining northern driveway with an existing median opening. He said the applicant will substantially increase landscaping, “they're adding a 105 trees that'll be 8 to 10 feet tall at the time of planting,” and intends to plant about 10% more vegetation units than code typically requires.

McInnis said the parcel had prior high transaction volumes and that the project represents roughly a $12,000,000 investment. He also told the council he had discussed the plan with the adjacent property owner, Carla Casey, and that she had texted after the Planning Commission meeting indicating she had no objection to the project.

Council discussion focused on safety and future Broadway design standards. Ward 3's councilmember said he had been reluctant to approve new Broadway development until the Broadway corridor study is complete but supported this application while urging that future projects align with the corridor study’s forthcoming design standards. Other members praised removal of curb cuts and the landscaping plan as compatibility improvements.

The council approved the requested variance 5–0 and then approved the site plan itself 5–0. With approvals in hand, the applicant may proceed to required permitting and construction review steps under Edmond's building and development process.