Development News for Warr Acres, Oklahoma

City Adopts Updated Building Codes with Streamlined Adoption Process

The council discussed and approved an ordinance adopting new building codes, including amendments to the International Residential Code, International Building Code, International Fire Code, Mechanical Code, Plumbing Code, and Property Maintenance Code. These updates are necessary to comply with the state's adoption of the 2024 International codes, which become effective in November. The city is shifting from adopting codes via ordinance to adopting them via resolution to streamline the process and ensure continuous compliance with state updates. An exception was made to the International Fire Code regarding the storage of LP tanks, allowing for portable or ODOT-approved tanks (like those for forklifts) to be stored above ground, while larger tanks must be stored underground. The ordinance was approved with an emergency clause.

Residential Driveway Widths Now Capped at 30 Feet at Street Approach

The City Council discussed and approved an ordinance amending sections related to paving and width requirements for residential and commercial driveways. The key amendment restricts the maximum width of any single residential driveway approach at the street to 30 feet, including 5-foot radiuses on each side. This aims to prevent the excessive conversion of front yards into driveways, particularly on smaller residential lots, and manage stormwater runoff. Commercial driveways are not subject to this width restriction. Existing, legally non-conforming driveways that exceed 30 feet will be grandfathered in, provided they are not modified. The ordinance seeks to improve neighborhood aesthetics and curb potentially problematic construction practices. The emergency clause for this ordinance was not approved.

Warres Police Department Upgrades Internet Service for Faster Evidence Uploads

The Warres Police Department is seeking authorization to execute an agreement with AT&T for dedicated internet and voice services, replacing the current Cox service. The primary driver for this change is the significantly inadequate upload speed provided by Cox (1 Mbps on a good day), which hinders the department's ability to upload case videos and evidence to the Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office, often taking 4-6 hours per case. AT&T has proposed a dedicated fiber optic solution with 100 Mbps upload and download speeds for a comparable price to the current Cox service, with a slight increase of approximately $100 per month for streaming services (replacing Cox's TV service). This upgrade is deemed essential due to new statutes requiring faster evidence submission to the DA's office. The agreement was approved.

Jennifer Conway Dirkson Appointed to City Council Ward 2 Seat

Jennifer Conway Dirkson was appointed to fill the vacancy in Ward 2 of the City Council. The appointment followed a discussion where Dirkson expressed her passion for community involvement and a vision for progressing with the times, addressing outdated aspects of the community. She has a background in federal government and private industry but this is her first experience in this type of civic role. The motion to appoint her was seconded, and she subsequently took the oath of office.