Opinion ID: 163795
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Overview of Broken Arrow's Permit Application Process

Text: 3 In Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, the City's power to grant permits for the construction of cellular transmission towers is defined generally by the Broken Arrow Zoning Ordinance. Article VIII, section 18 of the Zoning Ordinance sets forth specific requirements. Under Article VIII, section 18.6, [n]o person or entity shall hereafter construct, own, or operate any communication tower in excess of fifty (50) feet in height above the mean elevation of the ground of the lot or parcel on which it is built, unless said person has obtained a permit to construct from the City of Broken Arrow. With limited exceptions not applicable here, 1 the ultimate authority to issue specific use permits, including permits for the construction of telecommunications towers, resides in the City Council. See generally Broken Arrow Zoning Ord., art. VIII, § 18. 4 In general, the permitting process proceeds as follows. Once the Broken Arrow Planning Commission (the Planning Commission) receives a permit application, a Planning Commission staff member, usually the Planning Director, prepares an Agenda Packet, which sets forth the background of the permit request, the extent of the applicant's conformance with the Zoning Ordinance and other applicable law, and the staff member's recommended course of action. The preparer of the Agenda Packet submits this report to all members of the Planning Commission. After notice and public hearing, the Planning Commission forwards its recommendation to the City Council for further consideration and public comment. The City Council then holds a final hearing and decides whether to accept or reject the Planning Commission's recommendation. 2 If the City Council decides to deny an application, that decision shall be conveyed to the applicant in writing, together with the summary of the evidence which supports a denial of the application. Id., art. VIII, § 18.16.