Residents of the historic FFA farm area in south Broken Arrow are fighting a court battle to stop Calara Land OK, a subsidiary of Lennar Corp., from moving forward with a large housing project that would eliminate a mature tree line and a proposed greenbelt buffer.
Background of the development
In 2025, the Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) sold a 49‑acre easement near 101st Street and County Line Road to Calara Land OK for $2.2 million. The tract, previously used for soccer matches, was slated for a new subdivision of more than 160 single‑family homes. A rezoning request was approved by the Broken Arrow Planning Commission and the City Council in June, and an earth‑change permit was issued on July 30, allowing bulldozers to begin clearing the southern portion of the property.
Residents’ legal challenge
Long‑time homeowner Charles Rowland filed a petition in Tulsa County District Court seeking an injunction to stop the project. Rowland argues the city is “regulating the use of land without constitutional authority” and that the development threatens the “public good” and his liberty. He purchased his property 20 years ago to raise his family on a large lot with a rural character, and he says the removal of mature trees and the lack of a greenbelt would irreparably harm that way of life.
Community concerns
Neighborhood advocate Cathleen Doyle says 27 households on E. 96th Street, E. 97th Street and S. 190th East Ave. are directly affected. Doyle and other senior homesteaders contend the project does not align with existing land‑use patterns and would alter the character of the area. They are pushing for a 50‑foot greenbelt to separate the new homes from the established estates.
City response and negotiations
The city has indicated it negotiated with Calara to leave a 50‑foot greenbelt, but the agreement has not been finalized. Assistant City Manager Kenneth Schwab told residents that a meeting to discuss the plan was cancelled after Rowland’s injunction was filed, leaving the legal process pending.
Related zoning debates
The dispute comes amid broader zoning discussions in Broken Arrow. Earlier, the Planning Commission rejected a change to the city’s Comprehensive Plan that would have allowed a higher‑density, multi‑family development on a 20‑acre parcel near Tucson Street. Former U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin, now Secretary of Homeland Security, and other residents objected to the proposal, citing concerns about height, privacy and traffic. The Comprehensive Plan amendment was denied on a 5‑0 vote, and developers have 15 days to appeal to the City Council.
Legal and procedural context
Rowland also alleges that PSO’s sale of the easement violated a franchise agreement approved by Broken Arrow voters in 2023, which limits the utility’s activities to transmission and distribution of electric power. The city and Calara have not commented on the lawsuit, and the outcome of the injunction request remains uncertain.
What’s next?
The Planning Commission is set to consider additional housing proposals, including a 61‑acre project and a 39‑acre rezoning from agricultural to single‑family residential along County Line Road. Developers have suggested a lower‑density zoning designation to address community concerns, but the final decision will depend on city council deliberations and any court rulings.
Broken Arrow residents remain vigilant, emphasizing the importance of preserving the green space that defines their neighborhood’s character while balancing the city’s growth objectives.
Original reporting: Broken Arrow Sentinel — read the source article.
