The Norman City Council approved lawsuit settlement payments, redistricting on Porter Avenue for office development and allowing accessory dwelling units in five districts at its regular meeting on Tuesday.
Accessory Dwelling Units
Council unanimously voted to allow the use of accessory dwelling units in three residential districts and two agricultural districts.
Accessory dwelling units are smaller residential units built by homeowners on their property for housing family members and renters.
According to a staff report, accessory dwelling units may not exceed 650 square feet.
In a statement to OU Daily that was also posted to Facebook, Ward 8 Councilmember Matt Peacock said accessory dwelling units can alleviate Norman’s homeless situation while stimulating the economy through construction work. He added accessory dwelling units cost less than single-family homes, can create housing without large-scale infrastructure development and use utilities on existing properties.
“ADUs provide an additional housing option within existing neighborhoods without the need for large-scale development. This helps increase the overall housing stock, addressing housing shortages and contributing to housing affordability,” Peacock wrote. “ADU’s are going to be one of the major tools that help us get out of the housing crisis.”
Porter Avenue development
Council approved rezoning a portion of Porter Avenue for office development. Development plans include two buildings and parking spaces over four acres, according to a staff report.
One building is intended for medical use and the other is intended for medical or office space. At a Planning Commission meeting on Feb. 8, ADG Blatt Principal Anthony Blatt said both buildings will be single-story. He added the buildings were not designed yet.
At the March 13 council meeting, Blatt said the plans include 240 parking spaces.
Settlements
Council approved two settlement payments: one for $194,919 to Hallbrooke Development Group One, L.L.C and another for $199,771 to Uplands Development Co., L.L.C.
On March 9, 2021, the city of Norman filed lawsuits against Hallbrooke Development Group One, LLC and Uplands Development Co., LLC as an eminent domain action after easement purchase attempts failed.
According to a staff report, Hallbrooke Development Group One, LLC protested an initial $131,300 compensation provided by the commissioners and sought resolution through a total $271,568. Uplands Development Co., LLC protested a $185,000 compensation, requesting a total of $330,027.
The staff reports state the remaining costs toward Hallbrooke Development Group One, LLC include $140,268, alongside $54,651 in additional fees and costs. The remaining costs towards Uplands Development Co., LLC include $145,027 and $54,743 in additional fees.
Classen Boulevard sidewalk-filling project
Council approved a $154,312 contract with Ellsworth Construction OKC dba A-Tech Paving for the repair of the Classen Boulevard sidewalk from Enid Street to Shawnee Street and the south end of the Edge Apartments to the intersection of 12th Avenue SE.
The entire project can be funded through the Classen Sidewalk: Boyd – 12th SE fund in the Capital Improvement Projects Budget, which includes $189,760, according to a staff report.
The staff report notes construction is intended to begin in April and end in July.
UNP TIF Oversight Committee Appointments
Council approved Mayor Larry Heikkila’s appointments to the Board of Appeals, Public Safety Oversight Board, Center City Urban Design Implementation Plan Ad Hoc Committee and the UNP TIF Oversight Committee.
Heikkila appointed three representatives to the University North Park Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, Oversight Committee, including Norman Public Schools Superintendent Nick Migliorino.
The UNP TIF district was established in 2006, covering the area between I-35, Westheimer Airport, Robinson Street and Tecumseh Street. According to the city’s website, 50% of ad valorem taxes from project development and 60% of sales tax revenue generated from the district are diverted to TIF district improvements until 2031.
On Nov. 14, 2023, council adopted a resolution to consider one or more additional TIF districts in the northern University North Park area for the development of a $1 billion entertainment district. At the same meeting, council created and appointed members to a review committee to oversee the potential financial impacts of the possible entertainment district.
According to a staff report from the Nov. 14 agenda, OU would fund 40% of the construction costs for an arena in the district while using around 25% of its event dates.
