Meeting Summary
The City Council unanimously approved minutes, a resolution of gratitude to the Absentee Shawnee Tribe for grant funding, and a proclamation for National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. Key land use decisions were made, including rezoning property at Highway 9 and Jenkins Avenue for a mixed-use development and amending a PUD for a large retail project near Cedar Lane Road and Classen Boulevard. The council also approved the consent docket and associated preliminary plats for these developments.
Key Decisions & Votes
Approval of City Council Finance minutes
03:00The City Council Finance minutes from November 21st, 2024, were unanimously approved.
Resolution of gratitude to Absentee Shawnee Tribe
04:00A resolution expressing gratitude to the Absentee Shawnee Tribe for their assistance in securing grant funding for tribal routes and city projects was unanimously adopted.
Proclamation of National Impaired Driving Prevention Month
09:15The mayor's proclamation designating December 2024 as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month was acknowledged and adopted unanimously.
Consent Docket Approval
31:45Items 3 through 25 were placed on and subsequently approved from the consent docket unanimously.
Amendment to Norman 2025 Land Use and Transportation Plan
1:09:45A resolution to amend the Norman 2025 Land Use and Transportation Plan for property at Highway 9 and Jenkins Avenue, changing it to mixed-use designation and current urban service area, was unanimously adopted.
Rezoning Ordinance (Highway 9 and Jenkins Avenue)
1:13:00An ordinance rezoning property at Highway 9 and Jenkins Avenue from I-1 Light Industrial to PUD Planned Unit Development District passed unanimously on both second and final readings.
Preliminary Plat for Sooner Villages
1:14:30The preliminary plat for Sooner Villages, a planned unit development at Highway 9 and Jenkins Avenue, was unanimously approved.
Amendment to PUD Narrative (Cedar Lane and Classen Boulevard)
1:38:00An amendment to the PUD narrative for the property south of East Cedar Lane Road and East of Classen Boulevard was approved, allowing for garden center, outdoor storage, and outdoor display uses.
Rezoning Ordinance (Cedar Lane and Classen Boulevard)
1:42:30An ordinance rezoning property south of East Cedar Lane Road and East of Classen Boulevard from an existing PUD to a new PUD, as amended, passed unanimously on both second and final readings.
Revised Preliminary Plat for Armstrong Bank Consolidated project
1:45:00The revised preliminary plat for the Armstrong Bank Consolidated project, a planned development south of East Cedar Lane Road and East of Classen Boulevard, was unanimously approved.
Upcoming Community Events
AIM Norman Open House
Development Center, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Katrick Pottery Patio Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening
Firehouse Art Center, 10:00 a.m.
Public Art Dedication
Adult Wellness Education Center, 2:00 p.m.
Kinetic Flower Workshop
Adult Wellness Education Center, 3:00 p.m.
Community Art Activity
Adult Wellness Education Center, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Second Friday Artwalk
Downtown Norman, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Norman Christmas Day Community Dinner
Norman High School Commons cafeteria, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Parent Cafe
Center for Children and Families, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Infant Crisis Services Baby Mobile
Center for Children and Families, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Financial Matters
Grant funding from Absentee Shawnee Tribe
Federal tribal transportation funds for safety projects: $74,000 for 2023 (four intersection conversions, curve warning system) and nearly $44,000 for 2024 (more intersection conversions).
Bridge Grant application
Collaboration with Absentee Shawnee Tribe for a 2024 Bridge Grant to replace the Porter Avenue bridge over the Little River.
Sooner Theater renovations
Funding allocated for renovations to the Sooner Theater.
Public Comments
Public comments covered a range of topics including concerns about the proximity of residential development to the wastewater treatment plant (noise, smell, chemicals, safety), support for market-driven development over subsidies, and the need for more affordable housing. Other comments addressed the potential for farm animals in city limits, support for a specific City Attorney candidate, Norman's land use density compared to other cities, suggestions for permeable asphalt and green space design, and issues related to crime and the unhoused population.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- Norman Christmas Day Community Dinner delivery arrangements by December 21st
Watch For
- Future discussions on a Tiff for the Cedar Lane bridge project at CPTC.
- ODOT's long-term project for Highway 9 congestion is in the planning stage.
- Further opportunities for feedback on AIM Norman plans via website and QR codes.
Announcements
- This is the last full meeting for the holidays; Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.
- DUI checkpoints will be active on December 20th; residents are urged to use alternative transportation options.
- Awareness for mental health issues during the holidays was encouraged, with a reminder to check on others and provide support.
- Council highlighted positive outcomes from the consent docket, including $88,000 for Sooner Theater renovations and progress on Crimson Flats affordable housing.
- The Firehouse Art Center has Christmas programs and art classes available.
- The city's first Winterfest and the Christmas parade were successful.
- An AIM Norman open house will be held at the Development Center on December 11th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for community feedback on various city plans.
- Firehouse Art Center will have a ribbon cutting for the Katrick Pottery Patio on December 13th at 10:00 a.m.
- A public art dedication will take place at the Adult Wellness Education Center on December 13th at 2:00 p.m., followed by a kinetic flower workshop at 3:00 p.m.
- A second community art activity will be held on December 14th from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the AWE Center.
- The Second Friday Artwalk in downtown Norman is scheduled for December 13th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- The Norman Christmas Day Community Dinner will be held at Norman High School Commons cafeteria on December 25th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; volunteers and donations are welcome, and meal delivery can be arranged by contacting Bob McAn at 453-643-273 by December 21st.
- The Center for Children and Families (210 South Cockrell) will host a Parent Cafe on December 12th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (dinner and childcare provided).
- The Infant Crisis Services Baby mobile will be at the Center for Children and Families on December 20th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., offering free diapers, food, and formula for children birth through 3 years.
- Council members thanked participants in the Christmas parade and the Parks and Recreation Department for their Christmas celebration and drone show.
Agenda Summary
Approval of City Council Finance minutes of November 21st, 2024
Consideration of approval for the specified minutes.
Resolution of gratitude to the Absentee Shawnee Tribe
Expressing gratitude for assistance in obtaining grant funding for tribal routes and city projects.
Proclamation of National Impaired Driving Prevention Month
Proclaiming December 2024 as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month in Norman.
Consent Docket (Items 3-25)
Designation and approval of routine agenda items by unanimous consent.
Resolution amending the Norman 2025 land use and transportation plan
Amending the plan for property at the Southeast corner of Highway 9 and Jenkins Avenue to mixed-use designation and changing 11.5 acres from future to current urban service area.
Ordinance rezoning property at the Southeast corner of Highway 9 and Jenkins Avenue
Rezoning from I-1 Light Industrial District to PUD Planned Unit Development District.
Preliminary plat for Sooner Villages
Approval of the preliminary plat for a planned unit development at the Southeast corner of State Highway 9 and Jenkins Avenue.
Ordinance rezoning property south of East Cedar Lane Road and East of Classen Boulevard
Rezoning from PUD Planned Unit Development District to a new PUD Planned Unit Development District.
Revised preliminary plat for Armstrong Bank Consolidated project
Approval of the revised preliminary plat for a planned development south of East Cedar Lane Road between Classen Boulevard and 24th Avenue Southeast.