Norman City Council approved an amendment to a planned development near Campus Corner and discussed a possible land purchase at its Tuesday meetings.
Amended Jenkins Ave development
The news: Council approved an amendment to a development located at 765 Jenkins Ave. The amendment will remove previously-approved commercial space from the future building to allow for more multi-family housing, according to a staff report.
The project now includes 12 bedrooms in six units and 12 tandem parking spaces.
Construction won’t start for one to two years, according to Gunner Joyce, attorney for the project’s applicant, BMH Jenkins 2022, LLC.
What they’re saying: Joyce said he had previously met with Ward 4 Councilmember Helen Grant to speak about the project, where Grant showed initial concerns with the feasibility of the commercial space.
“We met two years ago when this came through in detail about what commercial uses might actually be able to thrive in that environment, and I will say (Grant was) spot-on correct,” Joyce said. “When we took it to market, nothing was feasible.”
Grant expressed support for the amendment and said long-term housing is the best use of the space.
Chelsea Gravel, a ward 4 resident, expressed concern for the tandem parking.
“I have lived in rental spaces like this and I would never feel comfortable going up to my neighbor's door and saying, ‘Hey, I want to leave my house, can you move your car?” Gravel said. “I just ask that you guys reconsider some other options for that.”
Joyce said the parking layout will work, considering the project’s location near Campus Corner.
“We want a more walkable community,” Joyce said. “If there’s any location where (tandem parking) works, I think this specific area is the location.”
The vote: Council approved the resolution 7-1-1, with Ward 3 Councilmember Robert Bruce voting against and Ward 2 Councilmember Matthew Peacock abstaining from the vote.
OU Daily reached out to Peacock to ask why he abstained, but did not immediately receive a response.
Possible land acquisition
The news:Before council’s regular meeting, council members held an executive session to discuss the possible purchase of land located between the Sutton Place addition and Sutton Wilderness Park.
What they’re saying: Ward 6 Councilmember Joshua Hinkle told OU Daily following the executive session that the property is being sold privately and council is trying to determine if it is viable for the city to purchase.
Hinkle said his hope for the land would be to extend Sutton Wilderness.
This story was edited by Natalie Armour, Macey Thaxton and Ana Barboza.
