Meeting Summary
The city council discussed water connection fees and a proposed water rate increase, which will go to a special election in April. Major approvals included the Norman Regional Health System Porter Campus redevelopment plan and a new garden center. A contentious rezoning request for a commercial strip center on South Berry Road was denied after significant public opposition. The council also adopted updated historic preservation guidelines and approved a special use permit for medical marijuana processing.
Key Decisions & Votes
Norman Regional Health System Porter Campus Land Use Amendment
01:38:00Approved the amendment of the Norman 2025 Land Use and Transportation Plan to change a portion of the Porter Campus from institutional to mixed-use designation, facilitating the health village concept.
Norman Regional Health System Porter Campus Rezoning
01:40:00Approved the rezoning of the Porter Campus to a Planned Unit Development (PUD) district, allowing for the comprehensive health village redevelopment.
Norman Regional Health System Porter Campus Easement Vacation
01:41:45Approved the closing of public interest in certain alleys and rights of way within the Porter Campus to facilitate the redevelopment.
Norman Regional Health System Porter Campus Preliminary Plat
01:43:00Approved the preliminary plat for the Porter Campus Edition, establishing the new lot configurations for the health village.
Postponement of 1025 South Berry Road Rezoning Request
02:07:00The council voted against postponing the rezoning request for 1025 South Berry Road, despite the applicant's request for more time to revise plans.
1025 South Berry Road Land Use Amendment
02:37:00The council rejected the resolution to amend the Norman 2025 Land Use and Transportation Plan for 1025 South Berry Road, preventing its change from residential/office to commercial.
Sanctuary Gardens of Wellness Land Use Amendment
02:49:00Approved the amendment of the land use plan for property west of Oliphant Avenue to commercial designation, allowing for the development of a garden center.
Sanctuary Gardens of Wellness Rezoning
02:50:30Approved the rezoning of the Sanctuary Gardens of Wellness property from residential estates to rural commercial district.
Sanctuary Gardens of Wellness Preliminary Plat
02:52:00Approved the preliminary plat for the Alameda Garden Center, including a waiver for driveway spacing.
Special Use Permit for Medical Marijuana Processing
02:54:00Approved a special use permit for Tier 3 medical marijuana processing at 1228 Lindsay Plaza Drive, noting minimal traffic impact.
Historic Preservation Guidelines Adoption
02:59:00Approved the resolution adopting updated historic preservation guidelines for the Norman Historic District Commission, clarifying rules and adding administrative bypass options.
Historic District Zoning Ordinance Amendments
03:00:30Approved amendments to the zoning ordinance related to historic district regulations, aligning with the new guidelines.
Water Rate Increase Ordinance
03:22:00Approved the ordinance to increase monthly base fees and tiered water rates for residential and non-residential users, contingent on voter approval in April.
Special Election Authorization for Water Rate Increase
03:23:00Approved the ordinance authorizing a special election on April 5, 2022, for voters to decide on the proposed water rate increase.
Upcoming Community Events
National Mentoring Month
Proclaimed by the Mayor, recognizing volunteer mentors and programs supporting young people and veterans.
Norman Police Department Chili Supper Benefit
Drive-through event at Norman High (Berry entrance), 5:30 PM - 8 PM, minimum $5 donation for 32 oz portions. Benefits the Christmas Store of Cleveland County.
Norman Music Festival
Lineup posted, signaling its return after a two-year hiatus.
Financial Matters
Water Connection Fees
Discussion on current water connection fees, legal limits for increases, and comparison to other cities. No action taken on increasing fees, but the current structure was deemed insufficient to recover growth costs.
Wastewater Connection Fees
Analysis showed that the current wastewater connection fee structure, including an excise tax, is sufficiently recovering the cost of growth.
Alameda Street Widening Construction Project
Approval of a bid contract for construction, including tax-exempt status and budget transfer.
North Base Complex Project Phase One
Approval of a change order increasing the contract amount and adding calendar days.
Bridge Maintenance Program Site Discovery Project
Approval of a contract for consultant services and budget transfer.
Constitution Street Multimodal Path Project
Appropriation of funds from the capital fund balance to adjust the local share deposit payment to ODOT.
Proposed Water Rate Increase
Ordinance adopted to increase monthly base fees and tiered water rates for residential and non-residential users, subject to voter approval in an April 5th special election. The increase aims to fund groundwater treatment, advanced water metering, and pipe replacement.
Public Comments
Multiple residents spoke in strong opposition to the proposed commercial rezoning at 1025 South Berry Road, both for the postponement request and the project itself. Concerns centered on the impact of a commercial strip mall on a residential neighborhood, including increased traffic, noise, light pollution, and the precedent of changing residential zoning. Residents expressed frustration with the prolonged process and perceived lack of responsiveness from the applicant. Suggestions included the city purchasing the property for a park or green space.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- March 22: Deadline to register to vote for the special election
- March 31 and April 1: Early voting for the special election
- April 5: Special election day for the water rate increase
Watch For
- Further discussion on water connection fees at a study session on February 22nd.
- A public meeting to educate residents on the water rate increase and its unique voting process.
- Opening of the Imhoff Road bridge project (target March 15th).
- Community Planning and Transportation Committee meeting on Thursday at 4 PM at City Hall.
Announcements
- Oklahoma Municipal League (OML) 25-year service awards were presented to several city employees.
- A proclamation was made for January 2022 as National Mentoring Month, with a focus on veterans' mentoring.
- The Alameda widening project (consent docket item) is moving forward.
- The Imhoff Road bridge project is on schedule with a target completion date of March 15th.
- Council members encouraged residents to vote in the upcoming February 8th elections.
- The Norman Music Festival lineup has been posted, signaling its return after a two-year hiatus.
- The Norman Police Department's annual Chili Supper Benefit will be held on February 4th as a drive-through event at Norman High, benefiting the Christmas Store of Cleveland County.
- Residents were encouraged to support local businesses for Valentine's Day.
- Ward meetings will be scheduled to discuss the proposed water rate increase leading up to the April election.
Agenda Summary
Discussion of water connection fees and financial plan update
Presentation and discussion regarding water and wastewater connection fees, including legal limits for increases and a comparison to current fees and other cities.
Item 3: Receipt of the Finance Director's Investment Report as of December 31, 2021
Receipt of the monthly investment report.
Item 4: Monthly Departmental Reports for the month of December 2021
Receipt of monthly departmental reports.
Item 5: Declaration of surplus and/or obsolete equipment and materials and authorizing the sale or disposal thereof
Declaration and authorization for disposal of surplus equipment.
Item 6: Final site development plan Young Family Athletic Complex
Approval of the final site development plan for the Young Family Athletic Complex (YFAC).
Item 7: Bid contract and associated bonds with Silver Star Construction Company Incorporated for the Alameda Street widening construction project
Approval of a bid contract for the Alameda Street widening project from Ridge Lake Boulevard to 48th Avenue Southeast.
Item 8: Change order number four to contract 2021-35 with Flintco LLC for the North Base Complex project Phase One
Approval of a change order increasing the contract amount and adding calendar days for the North Base Complex project.
Item 9: Contract 2122-91 with H.W. Lochner Incorporated to provide consultant services for the Bridge Maintenance Program Site Discovery Project
Approval of a contract for consultant services for the bridge maintenance program.
Item 10: Resolution 2122-82 appropriating funds for the Constitution Street Multimodal Path Project
Appropriation of funds to adjust the local share deposit payment for the Constitution Street multimodal path project.
Item 11: Resolution 2122-57 amending the Norman 2025 Land Use and Transportation Plan (Norman Regional Health System Porter Campus)
Amendment of the land use plan to change a portion of the Norman Regional Health System Porter Campus from institutional to mixed-use designation.
Item 12: Ordinance 2122-29 rezoning Norman Regional Health System Porter Campus
Rezoning of the Norman Regional Health System Porter Campus from R1, C3, and O1 districts to a Planned Unit Development (PUD) district.
Item 13: Ordinance 2122-30 closing certain public interest in an alley and rights of way at the Norman Regional Health System Porter Campus site
Closing of public interest in certain alleys and rights of way within the Norman Regional Health System Porter Campus.
Item 14: Preliminary Plat for Norman Regional Health System Porter Campus Edition
Approval of the preliminary plat for the Norman Regional Health System Porter Campus Edition, a Planned Unit Development.
Item 15: Resolution 2122-31 amending the Norman 2025 Land Use and Transportation Plan (1025 South Berry Road)
Request to amend the land use plan for property at 1025 South Berry Road from low density residential and office to commercial designation.
Item 16: Ordinance 2122-32 rezoning property located at 1025 South Berry Road
Request to rezone property at 1025 South Berry Road from R1, C3, and O1 districts to a Planned Unit Development (PUD) district.
Item 17: Resolution 2122-64 amending the Norman 2025 Land Use and Transportation Plan (Sanctuary Gardens of Wellness)
Amendment of the land use plan for property west of Oliphant Avenue between Alameda Drive and Alameda Street from country residential to commercial designation for a garden center.
Item 18: Ordinance 2122-22 rezoning property located west of Oliphant Avenue between Alameda Drive and Alameda Street
Rezoning of property for Sanctuary Gardens of Wellness from RE Residential Estates to CR Rural Commercial district.
Item 19: Preliminary Plat for Alameda Garden Center and a waiver for driveway spacing
Approval of the preliminary plat for the Alameda Garden Center and a waiver for driveway spacing.
Item 20: Ordinance 2122-27 granting special use for medical marijuana processing Tier 3
Granting of a special use permit for medical marijuana processing (Tier 3) in a C2 General Commercial District at 1228 Lindsay Plaza Drive.
Item 21: Resolution 2122-58 adopting the Historic Preservation Guidelines
Adoption of updated historic preservation guidelines for the Norman Historic District Commission.
Item 22: Ordinance 2122-31 amending Chapter 22 Zoning Ordinance Article 11 Specific District Regulations Section 429.3
Amendment of the zoning ordinance related to historic district regulations, including definitions, denial requirements, certificate of appropriateness extension, and administrative bypass restructuring.
Item 23: Ordinance 2122-34 amending Section 21-113 of Chapter 21 of the Code of Ordinances
Amendment of the code of ordinances to increase monthly base fees and water rates for residential and non-residential metered users, contingent on voter approval.
Item 24: Ordinance 2122-35 authorizing the calling and holding of a special election on April 5, 2022
Authorization for a special election on April 5, 2022, to submit the proposed water rate increase (Ordinance 2122-34) to registered voters.