July 22, 2025 City Council Meeting

Announcements

• Stillwater Fire Station #2 Grand Opening: Join the community for the grand opening of the new Fire Station #2 on 📅 Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at 1701 Northwestern Road. This facility was made possible by Stillwater voters in 2022.
• Block 34 Dedication Ceremony: The official opening of Block 34 will take place on 📅 Saturday, July 26th, 2025, at 7:00 PM, as part of the Dancing Turtle Arts Festival.
• Dancing Turtle Arts Festival: The festival begins on 📅 Friday, July 25th, 2025, offering opportunities to explore Block 34.
• Stillwater Strong Relief Fund: The deadline to apply for assistance from the Stillwater Strong Relief Fund, which has raised over $545,000 from 1,500 donors, is 📅 August 1st. Apply at unitedwaypaynecounty.org/stillwater-strong.
• FEMA and SBA Disaster Assistance: Residents impacted by the March wildfires are encouraged to apply for FEMA and SBA disaster assistance by 📅 Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025.
• Stillwater Public Library Summer Reading Programs: The final week of summer reading programs includes a Native American Dance (Tuesday), a black light party for teens (Wednesday), a family field trip to the Stillwater History Museum (Thursday), and a tie-dye explosion finale (Saturday). This is the last chance to log reading time for grand prize drawings.
• Utility Box Art Contest: Stillwater Art Integration has launched this year's Utility Box Art Contest with the theme "Stillwater Strong." Submit designs at stillwater.gov/art.
• Proclamation for Steve and Becky Irby: Mayor William Joyce issued a proclamation recognizing Steve and Becky Irby and Kicker Corporation for their tremendous support and generosity, particularly for Block 34. A section of Duncan Street between 8th and 9th Avenues was designated as "Herby Lane" in their honor.
• Stillwater Regional Airport Terminal: Councilors highlighted the exciting progress and tour of the new airport terminal.
• Staff Recognition: City staff member Chris Humes was recognized for his contributions to the city as he announced his resignation to join Corollo.

Key Decisions & Votes

• Planned Unit Development (PUD) 252 for Cowboy Landing (1924 & 2002 East Mappoy Road): The City Council ❌ denied the preliminary PUD plan for Cowboy Landing. A motion to approve the revised plan with three conditions (8-foot composite fence on east and west, evergreen non-cedar trees on west border, and limiting the four westernmost houses to one story) failed with a 2-3 vote.
• FAA Grant for Airport Baggage Handling System: The Council ✅ adopted Resolution CC-2025-16, approving the submission of an FAA grant application for $1,124,61 to procure and install a baggage handling system at Stillwater Regional Airport. The city's 5% sponsor match will be $59,161.
• Block 34 Park Rules, Regulations, and Fees: The Council ✅ adopted Resolution CC-2025-9, establishing the rules, regulations, and fees for Block 34 and Market 34. An amendment was approved to allow the City Manager to lower fees as needed, but any fee increases would require further Council resolution.
• Amended Lease Agreement for Our Daily Bread: Ordinance 3575 was ✅ advanced to second reading, authorizing an amended lease agreement for a city-owned building at 808 East Alcott Drive (701 East 12th Avenue) to Community Resourcing Incorporated for the operation of Our Daily Bread Food and Resource Center.
• Industrial Construction Building Permit Expedited Process: Ordinance 3577 was ✅ advanced to second reading, amending city code to require design professionals and plan reviewers for expedited industrial construction permits to carry an errors and omissions insurance policy of at least $1 million, with discretion for the Development Services Director to require a greater amount.
• Tobacco and Vapor Product Use Regulations: Ordinance 3574 was ✅ adopted, amending city code to repeal existing smoking regulations and adopt new provisions prohibiting the use of tobacco and vapor products in certain public places.
• Public Hearings Postponed: Two public hearings related to property at 320 South Walnut Street (map amendment for rezoning to two-family residential and specific use permit for townhomes) were 📅 postponed to September 8th to allow for additional review.
• Consent Dockets: Both the City Council and Stillwater Utilities Authority (SUA) consent dockets were ✅ approved.

Financial Matters

• Airport Baggage Handling System Grant: The FAA grant application for the Stillwater Regional Airport baggage handling system totals $1,124,61, with a required city match of 💰 $59,161. The estimated total project cost is $1,183,222.
• Block 34 Rental Fees: Fees for various spaces within Block 34 were approved, with the smallest rental space (Beer Garden) starting at 💰 $300 for three hours. The City Manager has the authority to lower these fees if needed, but any increases would require Council approval.

Public Comments

Public comments primarily focused on Planned Unit Development (PUD) 252 for Cowboy Landing (1924 & 2002 East Mappoy Road).

• Opposition from Neighbors: Several residents from the surrounding Wedgewood neighborhood spoke against the PUD, raising concerns about:
  • Incompatible Density: Despite revisions reducing the number of units from 42 to 32, residents felt the density was still too high and did not fit the character of the existing single-family homes.
  • "Game Day" Focus: Many expressed concern that the development was being marketed as "game day houses" or short-term rentals, attracting temporary residents rather than long-term families, which they believed would not foster a healthy neighborhood or address Stillwater's need for affordable housing.
  • Parking Deficiencies: Residents argued that the proposed garage sizes (9.5 ft wide) were too narrow for most modern vehicles, predicting significant overflow parking onto neighborhood streets.
  • Traffic & Safety: Concerns were raised about increased traffic on Mappoy Road, particularly near a school zone, and the lack of connecting sidewalks to main thoroughfares like Skyline Street.
  • HOA Effectiveness: Doubts were voiced about the ability of a Homeowners Association (HOA) to effectively enforce covenants, especially with a high percentage of non-permanent residents.
  • Property Values & Transition: Residents felt the development would negatively impact property values and create an abrupt transition from the existing larger-lot homes.
• Developer's Response: Representatives for the developer highlighted the revisions made to the plan in response to previous feedback, including:
  • Reduced unit count (32 units, 7.9 units/acre density).
  • Increased public parking spaces (from 9 to 29).
  • Added internal sidewalks and widened internal streets.
  • Increased front yard setback on Mappoy Road.
  • A willingness to restrict the four westernmost units to single-story homes.
  • They emphasized that the development aimed to provide housing for a specific market (e.g., parents buying for OSU students, "game day" visitors) and that the HOA would be professionally managed to ensure rule enforcement. They also noted the property's location near commercially zoned land, suggesting the PUD offered a more appropriate transition than potential commercial development.

Agenda Summary Table