Jenks Planning Commission Votes On Downtown Rezoning Proposal

The Jenks Planning Commission votes in favor of a rezoning ordinance, which will now go before the city council for final vote. The commission addressed a concerned crowd full of Jenks residents and business owners.

If approved by the city council, the ordinance would bring many changes to the City of Jenks.

The commission said the goal is to make Jenks more competitive with surrounding cities, preserve the city’s historical value, attract more tourists, and improve residents’ quality of life.

The city said changes along Main Street are intended to make five additional blocks feel like historic Downtown Jenks, by implementing codes that fit with the aesthetic.

The city said the properties can be grandfathered in and become nonconforming; however, owners would not be able to expand their property to make it more non-conforming.

The Overlay District is designed to make residents properties multi-functional. Meanwhile, the Riverfront District focuses on entertainment, tourism, and walking accessibility.

Many property owners worry these new restrictions will impact their resale value as well as limit their uses and ability to make changes and expand.

“They are imposing their will in property owners who should be able to develop orderly and with quality what they want to develop in Jenks," said Wayne Parker, former Jenks Mayor.

The city said while the ordinance would be the law, the plan isn’t completely rigid. The city is open to any idea that could truly enhance the Jenks experience.

“Value our residents, we value our citizens. The businesses that are here. The businesses that are coming and I’ve stated in before, I very sincerely mean it. Just the UDO is adopted doesn’t mean there aren’t other tools," said Marcae Hilton, Jenks City Planner.

What started out as a full-house dwindled down to just a few folks as the Jenks Planning Commission closed the floor to begin voting unanimously on the rezoning ordinance.

The ordinance will go to city council for vote early next month.

The Jenks Plan: https://www.jenks.com/DocumentCenter/View/186/Jenks-Comprehensive-Plan-PDF