Donated property for Habitat ‘cluster’ home draws mixed reactions – Oklahoma City Friday

When members of Our Lords Lutheran Church presented their plans to donate a portion of their property to Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity to The Village City Council last September it was met with enthusiasm from council members.

At the time, Mayor Sonny Wilkinson and Councilman David Glover suggested the possibility of constructing up to four "cluster homes, similar to homes constructed in the Hawthorne neighborhood, on the donated church site.

"The part of our property we want to donate had never been used except as a softball field years ago, Tom Ziebell, a 32-year church member, told the council last fall. "We believe part of our churchs mission is to our community, and because of our involvement with Habitat, we decided donating the land to provide affordable housing to deserving families would help fulfill that mission.

Earlier this month residents living near the proposed Habitat for Humanity home sites voiced both their concerns and support for the project during a packed public hearing held by the Planning and Zoning Com-mission. The commission met to consider a Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning request from Habitat for Humanity for undeveloped property directly south of Our Lords Lutheran Church, which is located south of Hefner Road and east of Major Avenue.

Mark Zitzow, AICP, with Johnson & Associates summarized the proposed project by telling the commission, "Four homes would be constructed on smaller lots featuring homes with an average square footage of 1,100-1,300 with construction and materials costs between $140,000 to $150,000 on donated property.

"Our new home recipients must donate 100 hours of sweat equity and pass credit and background checks, Ann Felton Gilliland, CEO of Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity told those in attendance. "Habitat for Humanity homes are energy efficient which means lower utility bills. We adhere to all provisions of the Fair Housing Act.

A Notice of Public Hearing to consider the rezoning request was mailed to all property owners within 300 feet of the property donated by the church to Habitat for Humanity. Most homeowners voiced deep concerns about the project including increased traffic, negative impact of property values and parking issues, while others spoke in support of the proposal.

Local resident Jack Christie shared with the commission research from county assessor records on covenants, plats, lot sizes, average home values and a door-to-door survey he completed showing fears of declining property values. He suggested that two homes instead of four would be a better fit for the project.

Neighbor Tyler Vaugh spoke of his support for the mission of Habitat for Humanity, but expressed concerns for sanitation and public safety access to all properties.

With six members seated on the Planning and Zoning Commission, the motion to approve the project failed to pass with a 3-3 vote, which is different than a 2-4 vote of denial, and it was sent back to the City Council for action.

"The PUD request was to provide smaller lot sizes to build a single-family home on, said City Manager Dave Slezickey. "Per code, the area of property was not large enough for multiple residences for single family residential zoning.

When a resolution regarding amending the PUD zoning to allow smaller lot sizes to accommodate four Habitat for Humanity homes was brought before the City Council earlier this month, numerous residents again spoke for and against the resolution, including recent City Council candidate Jon Sousa speaking in favor.

"Overall concerns from the council were mixed, but were welcoming to four new homes for four new families in The Village, said Slezickey. "The council heard the main issues with constituents were density, traffic, parking draining, public safety, and sanitation access.

After continued discussion the council had a rare split vote, approving the resolution 4-1 with Councilmen Sean Cummings, Wynter Griffis, David Glover and Mayor Sonny Wilkinson voting yes, while Councilman Bubba Symes said no.

"Most of the concerns presented to the council will be addressed during the design phase of this project as Johnson and Associates begins work on the final plat plan, said Slezickey.

The matter has been sent back to the citys Planning and Zoning Commission where the final plat submission is to be reviewed for recommendation before going back to the City Council for final approval. The city has said it plans to require civil engineering, extension of sewer lines to serve the homes and possibly the extension of water lines to accommodate a "cluster of four homes on the property.

The Village has at least one other Habitat home located on Westchester Drive that was constructed on a lot where a home was destroyed by fire and demolished.

Since 1990, Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity has constructed over 1,066 homes for deserving families. Their homes have been lauded for the geothermal energy efficient construction that is about half the cost of other homes.

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Donated property for Habitat 'cluster' home draws mixed reactions - Oklahoma City Friday