Norman City Council members adopted an ordinance to change zoning status south of a campus-area neighborhood Tuesday night with a vote of 5-3.

Christians on Campus and the Church in Oklahoma City, which provides funding and owns the property, requested that members of the council approve an ordinance where the organization, located at 704 W. Lindsey St., could receive special use for a parking lot at 1006 Chautauqua Ave. The property in question is currently designated as an R-1, single family dwelling district.

The special-use request comes after the church received a permit in May 2001 to demolish a house and garage.

As part of a restrictive covenant between the church, the City of Norman and the landowner due south of the proposed parking lot, an attorney for the church said the parking area on the north end of the property would never increase from the 13 spaces the church is requesting for the lot.

With Mayor Ron Henderson and councilmen David Ray and Doug Cubberley opposing the ordinance, Norman citizens, council members and proponents for the church expressed their views and concerns at the meeting.

Many opposing Norman citizens echoed Councilman Dave Karr's remarks at the last meeting where the Ward 3 councilman, who was not in attendance, said "a line needs to be drawn in the sand," referring to the recent zoning change requests. Other opponents claimed the council would be setting a dangerous precedent by letting the ordinance pass.

Jim Uskert, faculty adviser to Christians on Campus and business professor, said there is a need for additional parking at the facility.

Ray said usage should comply with zoning, zoning should not be changed for usage.

Cubberley, agreeing with Ray, said the zoning change is wrong.

"The neighborhood will lose its character, vitality and single family homes," Cubberley said.

Ward 2 Councilman Richard Stawicki said he will support the ordinance.

"They have a right to use their property," Stawicki said.
hello there & you too