Norman City Council approved rezoning for multi-use development on Classen Boulevard and made appointments to the Human Rights Commission during its regular meeting Tuesday.
Planned development units
The news: Council approved P and H Holdings to rezone and develop about 3 acres of commercial district at 2880 and 2886 Classen Blvd., turning the property into a planned unit development. It will include commercial, office, retail and multi-family residential buildings.
Council also voted to allow Hudimax Norman Holdings to rezone 0.1 acres on the southwest corner of Stonybrook Drive and North Interstate Drive from a commercial district to a planned development area. That rezoning will be used to build an electronic sign at a maximum height of 50 feet, according to a staff report.
What they’re saying: Ward 4 Councilmember Helen Grant said they appreciate the combination of housing and retail spaces.
“I really like the mixed-use residential,” Grant said.
Stephen Ellis, Ward 4 resident and OU economics associate professor, said he believes the community has not benefitted from previous simple planned unit developments.
“It’s supposed to be a kind of deal where the city gives obediency to an applicant in return for something that’s supposed to be special — it’s supposed to be development that benefits the overall community,” Ellis said. “(Development) applications have not been living up to that deal aspect.”
Ellis said it is unfair that certain groups have had their applications approved for these kinds of developments.
“The thing that generates distrust in city environment is when it looks like certain groups of people are getting consideration that other groups of people don’t get,” Ellis said.
Ben Plummer, Ward 4 resident, said council was showing partiality to the owners of larger properties.
“(Ellis) objects that only rich people are allowed to bend the rules and have access to these spuds, and I agree,” Plummer said. “There are currently requirements that you have to have a minimum amount of square footage before you can do a planned unit development. I don’t think that’s fair.”
The vote: Both ordinances were approved unanimously.
Appointments
The news: Council appointed Jessica Schwager, Ward 4, and Phillip Moss, Ward 2, to the Human Rights Commission, which is responsible for upholding city code stating civil rights is a local concern.
Holly Pepper of Ward 6 was appointed to the Bicycle Advisory Committee and Kayla Molina of Ward 7 was appointed to the Historic District Committee.
What they’re saying: Ward 6 Councilmember Joshua Hinkle thanked Pepper for agreeing to serve on the Bicycle Advisory Committee.
“There are a lot of really great ideas for multimodal transportation and bicycle routes in Norman,” Hinkle said. “I’m glad to have a Ward 6 representative on that committee.”
The vote: The appointments were unanimously approved.
This story was edited by Ana Barboza, Natalie Armour and Thomas Pablo.
