Development News for Newcastle, Oklahoma

Council Denies Rezoning for Riverview Villages After Extensive Debate

The council voted on a rezoning request for Riverview Villages, a Planned Unit Development (PUD). The applicant, RNR Land Development LLC, sought to rezone from PUD to PUD, proposing several revisions to the original plan based on council feedback. Key changes included increasing lot sizes on the north side to a minimum of 7200 square feet, increasing rear setbacks to 20 feet, limiting street connections to Riverfront Drive, decreasing the number of lots from 263 to 251, increasing open space from 2.5% to 7%, and increasing parkland requirement from 1% to 2%. Public comment raised concerns about lot size, building height (40 ft maximum), utility placement, street access, density, and potential impacts on existing neighborhoods. The developer and staff presented arguments for the rezoning, highlighting downzoning from commercial, compatibility with the comprehensive plan, and addressing resident concerns. Despite revisions and discussions, a motion to approve the rezoning with specific conditions failed to pass with a 3-2 vote. Subsequently, a motion to deny the associated land use map amendment also passed.