Meeting Summary
The City Council approved an application for a high-hazard potential Dam Grant opportunity for the repair of Misty Lake Dam, a critical infrastructure project. Additionally, a significant ordinance was adopted to allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in various residential and agricultural zoning districts, with a maximum size of 650 square feet, aiming to increase housing options and density. Several land use and zoning changes for commercial and residential developments were also approved.
Key Decisions & Votes
Misty Lake Dam Grant Application
00:20:00Approved the submittal of an application for a high-hazard potential Dam Grant opportunity for the repair of Misty Lake Dam.
Adjournment to Executive Session
00:20:50Approved to adjourn into executive session to discuss pending litigation.
Arbor Day Proclamation
00:23:00Acknowledged the mayor's proclamation of Sunday, April 21, 2024, as Arbor Day in the city of Norman.
Consent Docket (Items 2-27)
00:37:00Approved all items on the consent docket, including various administrative and routine matters.
1720 North Porter Avenue Land Use Plan Amendment
00:45:00Adopted a resolution to amend the Norman 2025 land use plan, changing the designation of 1720 North Porter Avenue from low density residential to office.
1720 North Porter Avenue Rezoning
00:48:00Adopted an ordinance on second and final reading to rezone 1720 North Porter Avenue from SPUD to SPUD for office use.
VCN Development Edition Preliminary Plat
00:53:00Approved the preliminary plat for VCN Development Edition, a simple planned unit development north of Robinson Street on Porter Avenue.
Indian Hills Road / 48th Avenue NW Land Use Plan Amendment
01:10:00Adopted a resolution to amend the Norman 2025 land use plan, changing property near Indian Hills Road and 48th Avenue NW from residential to commercial and high density residential.
Indian Hills Road / 48th Avenue NW Rezoning
01:12:50Adopted an ordinance on second and final reading to rezone property near Indian Hills Road and 48th Avenue NW to C2 General Commercial and RM6 Medium Density Apartment District.
Whispering Trails Edition Preliminary Plat
01:13:50Approved the preliminary plat for the Whispering Trails Edition, east of 48th Avenue NW on Indian Hills Road.
Removal of Residential Building Coverage Maximum
01:21:00Adopted an ordinance on second and final reading to remove the 40% building coverage maximum in residential zoning districts, maintaining a 65% impervious surface cap.
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance
01:36:00Adopted an ordinance on second and final reading to define and permit Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in various residential and agricultural districts, with a maximum size of 650 square feet.
Upcoming Community Events
Arbor Day Observance
3 PM at Reeves Park, with a tree planting and presentation.
Medieval Fair
Reeves Park.
Chocolate Festival
Noun Hotel.
Jenkins Avenue Widening and Improvement Project Meeting
6 PM at St. Thomas More.
Community Planning and Transportation Committee Meeting
4 PM at City Hall, live-streamed on YouTube. Discussion on traffic collision data and public transit.
Norman Solar Initiative Community Kickoff Event
4-5:30 PM at the Norman Development Center (225 N Webster).
Ward 3 Town Hall
3-5 PM at the West Norman Library (300 Norman Center Court).
Beta Alpha Psi Panelist Discussion (Alternative Careers in Accounting)
6 PM at the Oklahoma Memorial Union in the Frontier Room.
BMX Bike Park Cleanup
BMX bike park off 24th and Lindsay.
Electronics Drop-off
Andrews Park.
Corn Ferry Tour Liance Solutions Championship
Jimmy Austin Golf Course.
Earth Day
Display of Norman tree board's tree story and artwork winners.
Financial Matters
Misty Lake Dam Grant Opportunity
Application for a high-hazard potential Dam Grant with a 65/35 federal/local match, utilizing existing city funds for the local portion.
ACOG Grants
Grants secured for three solar electric vehicle charging stations, replacement of two CNG fueling compressors, 26 alternative fuel vehicles, one electric track, and two electric bus charging stations.
Board of Adjustment Variances
Cost for residents to apply for a variance, approximately $500, which will be reduced by the removal of the building coverage maximum.
Norman Music Fest Funding
Discussion regarding the city's previous $50,000 contribution to Norman Music Fest and the potential impact of not providing it.
Adult Softball Complex
Concerns raised about the lack of an adult softball complex and the resulting loss of tax revenue as teams play in other cities.
Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
Discussion about the potential negative implications of TIF districts, particularly the proposed Arena and Entertainment District, on public education funding in Norman.
Public Comments
Public comments covered a range of topics including strong support for the new ADU ordinance as a solution for housing affordability and anti-sprawl, alongside concerns about its potential impact on neighborhood character, parking, short-term rentals, and the need for more public engagement. Other comments addressed funding for the Norman Music Fest, the lack of an adult softball complex, the 'Racism Stinks' initiative for an international parade, the need for better public transit and green spaces, and the potential negative impact of Tax Increment Financing on public education.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- Norman Youth Council applications due May 24th
- Norman Solar Initiative enrollment period
Watch For
- Amendment three for Misty Lake Dam project
- Review of short-term rental ordinance
- Review of parking requirements for Accessory Dwelling Units
- Discussions on the Arena and Entertainment District
Announcements
- Council Member Ball expressed excitement for the upcoming ADU ordinance.
- Council Member Holman announced the Medieval Fair (next weekend) and Chocolate Festival (this weekend), a meeting for the Jenkins Avenue widening project (April 4th, 6 PM, St. Thomas More), and the Community Planning and Transportation Committee meeting (March 28th, 4 PM, City Hall) to discuss traffic collision data and public transit. He also reminded Ward 2 residents about the runoff election.
- Council Member Montoya highlighted the Norman Solar Initiative kickoff event (April 3rd, 4-5:30 PM, Development Center), acknowledged Ward 4 board appointments, and congratulated staff on securing ACOG grants for EV charging stations, CNG fueling compressors, alternative fuel vehicles, and electric bus charging stations.
- Council Member Grant reminded Ward 3 residents about the Norman Public School election (April 2nd) and residential spring cleanup dates (April 6th/13th). She also announced a Ward 3 town hall (April 21st, 3-5 PM, West Norman Library) and a Beta Alpha Psi panel discussion (April 16th, 6 PM, OMU).
- Council Member Nash informed about the Cresmont Street bridge closure (until April 2nd), Ward 2 large trash day (April 13th), and the Ward 2 election (April 2nd). He also stated he would be absent from the next council meeting.
- Mayor Hia extended wishes for Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter. He also announced Ward 1 spring cleanup (May 3rd), an electronics drop-off event (May 4th, Andrews Park), a BMX bike park cleanup (April 27th), applications for the Norman Youth Council (deadline May 24th), and the upcoming solar eclipse (April 8th). He also mentioned the Corn Ferry Tour Liance Solutions Championship (June 17th-23rd, Jimmy Austin Golf Course).
Agenda Summary
Discussion regarding Summit Lakes participation agreement Amendment two and memorandum of understanding and submittal of an application for a high-hazard potential Dam Grant opportunity for repair of Misty Lake Dam
Discussion and approval of an agreement to pursue a federal grant for the repair of the high-hazard Misty Lake Dam, which is currently privately owned but intended for city maintenance post-repair.
Consideration of adjournment into executive session
To discuss pending litigation in the cases of City of Norman versus The Uplands Development LLC et al. and City of Norman versus Hall Brook Development Group One LLC et al.
Proclamation of the mayor of the city of Norman Oklahoma proclaiming Sunday April 21st 2024 as Arbor Day in the city of Norman
Official proclamation recognizing Arbor Day and the city's Tree City USA status, encouraging tree planting.
Consent Docket (Items 2-27)
Approval of routine agenda items by a single motion.
Resolution amending the Norman 2025 land use and transportation plan to remove property located at 1720 North Porter Avenue from low density residential designation in place the same in the office designation
Amendment to the land use plan for a property on North Porter Avenue to change its designation from low density residential to office.
Ordinance upon second and final reading rezoning property located at 1720 North Porter Avenue from Spud simple planned unit development to Spud simple planned unit development District
Rezoning of the property at 1720 North Porter Avenue to a Simple Planned Unit Development for office use, a companion to the land use plan amendment.
Preliminary plat for vcn development Edition a simple planned unit development generally located approximately 1 half mile north of Robinson Street on the west side of Porter Avenue
Approval of the preliminary plat for a Simple Planned Unit Development, a companion to the rezoning for office use.
Resolution amending the Norman 2025 land use and land use Transportation plan to remove property located near the northeast corner of Indian Hills Road in 48th Avenue Northwest the residential designation and place the same in the commercial designation and high density residential designation
Amendment to the land use plan for a 40-acre property near Indian Hills Road and 48th Avenue Northwest, changing designation from residential to commercial and high density residential.
An ordinance upon second and final reading resoning property located near Northeast the northeast corner of Indian Hills Road and 48th Avenue Northwest from the P PUD planned unit development and place it in the same C2 General commercial District in rm6 medium density Apartment District
Rezoning of the property near Indian Hills Road and 48th Avenue Northwest from PUD to C2 General Commercial and RM6 Medium Density Apartment District, a companion to the land use plan amendment.
Preliminary plat for the Whispering Trails Edition generally located one4 Mile East of 48th Avenue Northwest on the north side of Indian Hills Road
Approval of the preliminary plat for the Whispering Trails Edition, a companion to the rezoning and land use plan amendment for the Indian Hills Road area.
An ordinance upon second and final reading amending section 36 514 R1 single family dwelling District... to remove the building coverage maximum
Amendment to the zoning ordinance to remove the 40% maximum building coverage in residential districts, while retaining the 65% impervious surface cap.
An ordinance upon second and final reading amending chapter 36 zoning sections... in order to Define and create uses for accessory dwelling units and other zoning ordinance amendments for the purposes of compatibility therewith
Amendment to the zoning ordinance to define and permit Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in various residential and agricultural districts, with a maximum size of 650 square feet.