MANNFORD — A proposed residential development known as the Lake Estates of Mannford took key steps forward last month following a pair of public hearings and discussions held.
The Mannford Planning Commission members considered the project during an April 14 meeting when a public hearing to gather input regarding a Specific Use Permit (SUP) application submitted by the Butterfield Memorial Foundation was held. The presented proposal outlined preliminary subdivision plans for property located at the southeast corner of East Trower Boulevard and Coonrod Road, extending toward West 31st Street.
Two days following the hearing on April 16 the Mannford Board of Trustee members also held a public hearing and review of the application during which trustees considered the Planning Commission’s findings, conclusions, and any conditions tied to the development.
According to City Manager Gerald Haury, the proposed developmental project involves plans to build a residential subdivision on land currently zoned as R-1 which is the city’s most restrictive residential classification. Due to the scale of the development a SUP submission is required.
“The landowner is wanting to build homes on their property that is zoned R-1,” Haury explained. “The City of Mannford requires the developer apply for a Specific Use Permit (SUP) for the Preliminary Plat and the Final Plat for all housing developments which have more than 40 lots or covers 20 acres or more.”
Conditions Shape Development Plans
Following its review, the Planning Commission approved the SUP for the preliminary plat with several conditions designed to guide the project’s development. Haury provided a list of the conditions that were added.
Conditions included a cap of 122 for the total number of allowed residential lots with each lot required to meet a minimum size of 14,520 square feet. Homes constructed within the subdivision also must contain at least 1,550 square feet of livable space.
Additional requirements include the submission of a revised preliminary plat that reflects any environmental constraints — particularly those tied to a pending jurisdictional determination involving a blue-line stream by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Infrastructurerelated conditions were also outlined which included developer-funded sewer lift stations built to town specifications and the construction of sidewalk connections linking the neighborhood to Mannford’s existing pedestrian network.
The developer will also be responsible for incorporating a school bus turnaround along 31st Street and coordinating with local school officials on its design. A designated reserve area within the development is to be dedicated to the City of Mannford for a potential future secondary entrance contingent on roadway and traffic signal improvements.
Economic and Infrastructure Impact
Haury described the potential impact of the development as largely positive for the community, particularly in terms of long-term financial and infrastructure benefits.
“This type of development would have a huge positive impact by providing greatly increased sales tax revenue which pays for streets and public services such as Police, Fire, and Ambulance,” he said. “The increase in utility revenue would help fund needed upgrades to all our utility infrastructures.”
He added that new utility infrastructure associated with the project would be more efficient and require less maintenance than older systems, potentially helping stabilize utility rates over time.
While some residents have expressed opposition, Haury noted that the project is expected to benefit the broader community.
“There are a few residents and non-residents that are against the development but the majority of public in Mannford will benefit from the development and it will be a positive project for Mannford businesses and residents,” he said.
In terms of environmental and infrastructure concerns, Haury emphasized that developers must meet regulatory standards.
“Developers must provide proper drainage and their plans must be approved by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality,” he said, referring to required stormwater permitting.
Traffic, he added, is expected to be manageable and comparable to existing patterns in nearby residential areas.
What Comes Next With the preliminary plat approved under the SUP, the project now moves into its next phase. The developer must submit a final plat along with detailed engineering plans for review by the Planning Commission and approval by the city’s engineer.
Haury noted that all plans must comply with city standards as well as state requirements and the International Building Code.
The property remains privately owned by the Butterfield Memorial Foundation and officials indicated the development process will continue through the established review channels before any final construction decisions are made