Team Norman and representatives of University North Park LLC requested the postponement of the Norman Planning Commission discussion regarding the proposed University North Park entertainment district for a fifth time, according to the planning commission's meeting agenda.
Sean Rieger of Rieger Law Group requested to postpone consideration of the proposal on behalf of the applicant, University North Park LLC until the June planning commission meeting.
In an email to city staff, Rieger wrote that the postponement is important as they are working to “align the zoning and platting with the (tax increment finance) Project Plan that is now making its way through the statutory TIF Committee.”
This is the fifth time the proposal for the entertainment district has been delayed since plans for its construction became public in September.
“We were excited and hopeful that this would be coming to council in October. So you know, it's it's something that we're excited about and think that Norman is excited about and think that we need this for the community,” Dan Schemm, executive director of Visit Norman, said.
Lawrence McKinney, Norman Economic Development Coalition president and CEO, wrote in a text message to OU Daily that the discussion of the proposal was most likely delayed so the “TIF statutory review committee could make a recommendation.”
A TIF committee reviews and considers the financial impact of potential TIF districts and reports its findings to Norman City Council.
TIF diverts company or consumer-based taxes to support the redevelopment, infrastructure and community improvement projects within a certain area with the intent of stimulating private investment.
OU marketing and communications wrote in a statement sent to OU Daily that support for the entertainment district continues to grow and the approval process continues in an orderly manner.
“The developer team has shown flexibility in adjusting Planning Committee dates amidst this fluid process, and we remain committed to our shared vision of growth and opportunity for Norman. We are confident the process will soon reach completion and remain grateful for the support from the community as we work to create new jobs, housing, and economic growth,” a university spokesperson wrote.
Schemm said he was unaware that the meeting was postponed until OU Daily contacted him, but he speculates it may be because the TIF statutory committee intends on presenting both zoning and planning documents at the same time.
“As of right now, having just heard about it, I don’t know what the plan is.” Schemm said. “My board meets next week, so we'll talk about it at that meeting to see if any next steps are taken from our end of things.”
This story was edited by Peggy Dodd and Anusha Fathepure. Nikkie Aisha copy edited this story.
