Meeting Summary
The City Council acknowledged Constitution Week and unanimously approved the Bob Moore Farms North development, which includes a land use plan amendment, rezoning, and preliminary plat. This project will bring 642 housing units to a 55.5-acre site, downzoning it from commercial to mixed-use residential. Public comments largely focused on the Bob Moore Farms project and the proposed arena/TIF.
Key Decisions & Votes
Proclamation of Constitution Week
02:00The Mayor's proclamation designating September 17-23, 2024, as Constitution Week was acknowledged by the Council.
Consent Docket Items 2-10
29:00Items 2 through 10, including various routine matters, were approved as part of the consent docket without individual discussion.
Norman 2025 Land Use and Transportation Plan Amendment (Bob Moore Farms North)
59:00A resolution was adopted to amend the land use plan for 55.5 acres south of West Main Street, west of Ed Noble Parkway, north of West Lindsay Street, and east of 36th Avenue Southwest, changing its designation to mixed-use.
Rezoning for Bob Moore Farms North
01:00:30An ordinance was adopted on second and final reading to rezone the 55.5-acre Bob Moore Farms North property to a Planned Unit Development (PUD) District, allowing for a mixed-use development with 642 dwelling units.
Preliminary Plat for Bob Moore Farms North
01:01:00The preliminary plat for the Bob Moore Farms North edition of the Planned Unit Development was approved, detailing the layout for commercial, multi-family, and storm infrastructure.
Upcoming Community Events
Westwood Pool Scuba Doo Dive Night
7 PM, Westwood Pool (21+)
Friday Night Concert Series
7 PM, Campus Corner
State of the City Address
Afternoon, Embassy Suites
Second Friday Art Walk
6-9 PM, Walker Arts District downtown
Uncanny Art House Grand Opening
6-9 PM, 106 East Main Street, featuring Samantha Crane, KT Duffy, and S Suarez
Old Silk Stockings Neighborhood Night Out
6-7:30 PM, Trinity Baptist Church
Council Member Heag's Town Hall
6 PM, 12th Street Rec Center (1701 12th Avenue Northeast)
Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month
6-8 PM, Andrews Park, hosted by Norman Public Library Central
Coaches Corner Ribbon Cutting
4:30 PM, Corner of Lindsay and Barry (formerly Penny Hill Subs)
Community Planning and Transportation Committee Meeting
4 PM, City Hall and live stream on YouTube
Financial Matters
Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Projections
The city's FY25 budget is based on a 2% sales tax growth and a 4% use tax growth, with combined sales and use tax revenues projected to grow at 2.4%. General fund net expenses are projected to grow at an average rate of 3.9%, exceeding projected revenues.
Public Safety Sales Tax (PSST) Fund
The PSST fund shows a projected 7% reduction in revenue, from $17.1 million to $15.9 million. Additionally, $8 million will be paid over the next three years for Debt Service from the PSST fund, with no funds allocated for capital projects in the fire department's budget.
Proposed Arena and TIF
Public comments raised concerns about a potential $600 million expenditure for an arena and entertainment district, questioning its impact on public safety funding, job creation, and whether it addresses existing city problems like housing.
Public Comments
Public comments were primarily divided between support for the Bob Moore Farms North development and opposition to the proposed arena and TIF. Supporters of Bob Moore Farms highlighted its infill housing, walkability, and downzoning from commercial, while opponents raised concerns about traffic impacts on existing neighborhoods and the integrity of the development process. Critics of the arena/TIF questioned its necessity, financial implications, job creation claims, and potential diversion of funds from public safety, emphasizing the city's existing housing needs.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- Input requested for the arena and $600 million TIF vote before next week's Council meeting.
Watch For
- Upcoming football games, including Tennessee, as Norman prepares for the SEC.
- Community Planning and Transportation Committee meeting on September 26th at 4 PM at City Hall for public transit and street construction updates.
Announcements
- The Cleveland County Fair was held for the last time in its current building, with new fairgrounds planned.
- Center Stage, a new children's theater working with disadvantaged and disabled children, opened on Flood Avenue.
- Fall Sports through KNC Youth Sports (baseball, softball) are ongoing.
- Council Member Grant requested input on the upcoming arena and $600 million TIF vote via email (ward3@normanok.gov) or phone (405-876-3143).
- The city's FY25 budget projects 2% sales tax growth, 4% use tax growth (2.4% combined), while general fund net expenses are projected to grow at 3.9%.
- Buddy week is ongoing at Koda CrossFit.
- September 11th was recognized as Virtue Center Day Eve.
- Council Member Heag will host a town hall on Monday, September 16th at 6 PM at the 12th Street Rec Center.
- The Norman Central Library is operating in a temporary location on South Santa Fe, behind Scratch Restaurant.
- Construction is ongoing on Highway 9, an ODOT project updating and widening bridges over Bishop Creek between Jenkins and 12th Avenue Southeast.
Agenda Summary
Item number one: Proclamation of the Mayor of the City of Norman, Oklahoma proclaiming the week of September 17th through 23rd, 2024 as Constitution Week in the City of Norman.
A proclamation recognizing the 235th anniversary of the framing of the U.S. Constitution and the efforts of the Black Beaver chapter National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Items two through ten: Consent Docket.
Various routine items grouped for a single vote.
Item number 11: A resolution amending the Norman 2025 Land Use and Transportation Plan.
To remove property generally located south of West Main Street, west of Ed Noble Parkway, north of West Lindsay Street, and east of 36th Avenue Southwest from commercial, open space, and residential designations and place it in mixed-use designation for the Bob Moore Farms North development.
Item number 12: An ordinance rezoning property generally located south of West Main Street, west of Ed Noble Parkway, north of West Lindsay Street, and east of 36th Avenue Southwest.
Rezoning the 55.5-acre property from C2 General Commercial District, RM6 Medium City Apartment District, and PUD to a new PUD (Planned Unit Development) District for the Bob Moore Farms North development.
Item number 13: A preliminary plat for the Bob Moore Farms North edition of Planned Unit Development.
Approval of the preliminary plat for the Bob Moore Farms North development, outlining commercial, multi-family, and storm infrastructure areas.