Meeting Summary
The City Council approved several rezoning and preliminary plat requests, including a large-lot residential development (Red Sky Ranch) and a three-home subdivision on West Lindsay Street. Amendments to the Center City Form-Based Code were also adopted, with a notable change to the Boyd Street build line passing on a 7-2 vote. Council members provided extensive updates on city projects, upcoming events, and ongoing policy discussions, particularly regarding homelessness and Saxon Park.
Key Decisions & Votes
Approval of Meeting Minutes
01:40Various city council and authority meeting minutes from September 2021, February 2023, December 2022, January 2023, and June 2023 were approved.
Consent Docket Approval
0:29:40Items 2 through 39, comprising routine agenda items, were approved via the consent docket.
Rezoning Red Sky Ranch Edition
1:00:00Ordinance 023-242, rezoning 26 acres west of 48th Avenue Northwest to a PUD for 10 large-lot single-family homes, was adopted on second and final reading, allowing for accessory dwelling units and removing a 2025 overlay based on updated floodplain data.
Preliminary Plat for Red Sky Ranch Edition
1:07:00The preliminary plat for Red Sky Ranch Edition, a companion item to the rezoning, was approved.
Rezoning 1104 West Lindsay Street
1:25:00Ordinance 023-244, rezoning property at 1104 West Lindsay Street to a Simple Plan District (SPUD) to allow for three residential homes with a shared driveway and a frontage variance, was adopted on second and final reading.
Amending Center City Form-Based Code (General)
1:28:00Ordinance 023-243, amending the Center City Form-Based Code to correct duplications, clarify language, update references, and add administrative adjustment authority, was adopted on second and final reading.
Amending Center City Form-Based Code (Boyd Street Build Line)
1:40:00Ordinance 022-347, amending the Center City Form-Based Code to move the required build line along the north side of Boyd Street to three feet behind the front property line, was adopted on second and final reading despite protest.
Preliminary Plat for Simple Storage Edition
1:43:00The preliminary plat for Simple Storage Edition, a two-lot subdivision near 24th Avenue Southeast and Imhoff Road, was approved.
Upcoming Community Events
Community Planning and Transportation Committee Meeting
4 PM at City Hall or on the City of Norman YouTube channel
Norman Police Department Update
5:30 PM at City Hall
Antioch Church Snack & Study After-School Program
3 PM to 5 PM, open to Elementary and Middle-aged kids, Ward 1 off Lindsay
Collaboration for a Better Nation Discussion (Racism Stinks)
6 PM at Norman Public Library Central, hosted by Richard Baxter and State Representative Kevin West
Financial Matters
Sales Tax Breakdown
Total sales tax is 8.75%, with 4.5% allocated to the general fund of the State of Oklahoma.
OG&E Line Relocation Cost
A new builder in the Boyd Street area might face a cost of $150,000 to move OG&E lines.
Public Comments
Public comments covered a range of topics including the effectiveness of 'Housing First' policies for homelessness, the contentious nature of the homelessness debate in Norman, and a recent fire at the Downtown Pantry. Concerns were raised about the transparency and economic impact of a proposed OU Arena. Speakers also discussed the need for defined permaculture zoning, the importance of tree preservation, and the functionality of the city's ADA coordinator. There were also comments regarding the Center City Form-Based Code, particularly the Boyd Street build line, and calls for more accurate data on the unhoused population and increased community engagement.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Saxon Park development plans (further discussion with residents planned)
- Oakhurst Pantry policies (working on policies)
Deadlines
- August 28th: Absentee ballot deadline for September 12th special election (ONG franchise agreement)
- September 7th-8th: Early voting for September 12th special election
- September 12th: Election day for ONG franchise agreement
- September 15th: Voter registration deadline for October 10th election (bridges)
- September 25th: Absentee ballot deadline for October 10th election
- October 5th-6th: Early voting for October 10th election
- October 10th: Election day for bridge rehabilitation
Watch For
- Community Planning and Transportation Committee meeting on Thursday at 4 PM at City Hall (public transit, road construction, sidewalks updates)
- Norman Police Department update on August 29th at 5:30 PM at City Hall (crime, strategic plan)
- Council Retreat priorities to be distributed to committees for the next fiscal year
- Discussions with Cleveland County regarding their role in addressing homelessness
- Information regarding a new push to use public funds for an OU Arena in the UNP area
Announcements
- Councilmember Holman reminded residents to be mindful of school traffic and speeding, announced traffic signal adjustments at Lindsay & Elm and Jenkins & Felgar, noted the nearing completion of the Y-Fact and Senior Center, and highlighted the launch of the Norman On-Demand ride share transit pilot program. He also mentioned the upcoming Community Planning and Transportation Committee meeting and a Norman Police Department update on August 29th.
- Councilmember Grant discussed the city's Home-Base Study and Action Plan for homelessness, detailing an incident where an individual overdosed and the need for a county-wide response, mental health crisis vans, and day services.
- Councilmember Montoya announced residential fall cleanup dates for Ward 3 (September 30th and October 7th) and provided election dates for the September 12th ONG franchise agreement special election and the October 10th bridge rehabilitation election. She also gave a breakdown of sales tax allocation.
- Councilmember Ball reiterated the council retreat and upcoming policy discussions for Saxon Park and the Oakhurst Pantry, and confirmed Ward 2's large trash day on October 7th.
- Councilmember Nash added details about the Norman On-Demand service, highlighted Antioch Church's 'Snack & Study' after-school program, and mentioned the Firehouse Art Center's fall programs and upcoming mural.
Agenda Summary
Item 1: Approval of Minutes
Approval of city council conference minutes of September 14, 2021, February 14, 2023; city council study session minutes of December 20, 2022, and January 3, 2023; city council special minutes of June 13, 2023; city council, Norman Utilities Authority, Norman Municipal Authority, Norman Tax Increment Finance Authority special meeting minutes of June 13, 2023.
Items 2-39: Consent Docket
Routine agenda items designated for approval or acknowledgment in one motion.
Item 40: Ordinance 023-242
Rezoning property located west of 48th Avenue Northwest between Franklin Road and Tecumseh Road from A2 Rural Agricultural District and PUD Planned Unit Development to PUD Planned Unit Development District for a 10-lot single-family residential development.
Item 41: Preliminary Plat for Red Sky Ranch Edition
Preliminary plat for Red Sky Ranch Edition, a planned unit development generally located 1600 feet south of East Franklin Road on the west side of 48th Avenue Northwest, companion to Item 40.
Item 42: Ordinance 023-244
Rezoning property located at 1104 West Lindsay Street from R1 Single Family Dwelling District to SPUD Simple Plan District to allow for three residential homes with shared access.
Item 43: Ordinance 023-243
Amending the Center City Form-Based Code to remove duplicative language, clarify language, correct mistakes/omissions/errors, update references, amend certificate of compliance application requirements, and add administrative adjustment authority for utility and related infrastructure conflicts.
Item 44: Ordinance 022-347
Amending the Center City Form-Based Code required build line along the north side of Boyd Street from a point starting at Asp Avenue and continuing to the BNSF railroad right-of-way, bringing the build line forward to three feet behind the front property line.
Item 45: Preliminary Plat for Simple Storage Edition
Preliminary plat for Simple Storage Edition, generally located near the northeast corner of the intersection of 24th Avenue Southeast and Imhoff Road, for a two-lot subdivision.