200-acre New Town project clears planning hurdle

City council vote set for June 23

By Anthony Thomas
Midwest City Beacon

The Midwest City Planning Commission last week recommended approval of a zoning request for a large mixed-use development on the east side.

The advisory committee unanimously recommended approval of a request to rezone the 200-acre property near SE 29th St. and Anderson Rd. from R-6 to a Planned Unit Development.

The proposed New Town development would offer a wide variety of residential uses, open and park spaces, and commercial spaces. It is inspired by New Urbanist developments such as the Wheeler District in Oklahoma City. Johnson & Associates has been working on it with the city since early 2024.

The proposed development is intended to be a vibrant, people-first, mixed-use neighborhood that incorporates a variety of housing types along with supporting uses. The master plan is modeled on a traditional village pattern with town centers, courtyards, walking and biking trails, and green spaces and ponds. The plan includes preserving more than 49 acres of open space, most of which will be along a creek on the western side of the development.

“We’re really excited about this project. I think this is a good opportunity for Midwest City to have something most other communities in the country don’t have. We’re attempting to build a community, how a community would be built 100 plus years ago. We’re trying to be mindful of the neighbors around us by feathering in a low density and a higher density in the core of the development. We also have preservation in mind, with the attempt that those who have lived in more rural areas when you’re driving down Anderson won’t feel different. Our hope is that it’s understood the density we are asking for is to build a truly unique and what we believe to be a truly incredible neighborhood,” said Mark Zitzow, Johnson & Associates’ principal director of urban planning.

The Johnson & Associates team initially had the development zoned as R-6 — single-family detached residential — designed for a gross density of 5.1 units per acre. During that process, the developers chose to reapply for a PUD designation in December 2025. The zoning change decreased the gross density to 4.2 units per acre.

Since submitting the rezoning application, the developers have been working closely with the Jaycie Place Homeowners Association, the Tuscany HOA and other area residents. In May, the developers attended the Parks and Recreation meeting and received approval for parks, water fixtures and other public spaces.

Several residents from surrounding neighborhoods attended the planning commission meeting. Primary concerns centered on excess drainage — the proposed site is in a flood zone — as well as additional traffic and preservation of land and properties adjacent to the development.

Mike Dickey, HOA president for Tuscany, participated in the Jaycie Place meetings with the developers. He asked the commission and city not to overlook the surrounding communities and affirmed residents’ willingness to continue working with the developers.

“All of this is good stuff, but I want y’all to remember, don’t get so focused on the inside because the inside does sound neat but outside of that is where Tuscany and Jaycie Place are close to the border. Traffic on Anderson has gotten worse, I don’t know about the traffic studies but sometimes it’s hard to get out of Tuscany. If the lots don’t line up right and I have faith they will fix it, but it could cause a real traffic problem for us, especially during rush hour. We’re willing to work with the developers,” Dickey said. “We’re not trying to say don’t build it here in Midwest City, but we just need to remember when we’re drawing this that they’re not all flat through there, there are elevations. Just think about it from the outside people because we don’t want to erode the property values of already established homes. We’re just requesting that y’all look out for us.”

The developers submitted an independent traffic study to the commission. Zitzow noted that Oklahoma City passed a $3 million bond issue in 2025 to improve the intersection at 29th and Anderson. A roundabout has been proposed but remains in the planning stages with Oklahoma City.

The detailed plan submitted to the commission also includes drainage maps and plans to reduce runoff into surrounding areas by utilizing four ponds along the border of the development and preserving the natural creek.

Commissioner Rick Dawkins expressed enthusiasm for the type of development coming to Midwest City.

“It’s kind of exciting what you’re doing because this is the kind of thing, living here my whole life that people normally ask why does Edmond get that and we don’t. This is very forward-thinking what you’re doing because you could go in today and do cookie cutter type homes, but this is going above and beyond. After seeing this and what I’ve seen before today it’s impressive,” Dawkins said.

The New Town and Johnson & Associates will present their comprehensive plan to the Midwest City Council for final approval. The council is scheduled to vote on the proposal at its next meeting June 23 at 3 p.m.