Norman City Council Meeting – March 10, 2026

The Norman City Council, Norman Utilities Authority, Norman Municipal Authority, and Norman Tax Increment Finance Authority held a joint meeting on March 10, 2026. The meeting featured four proclamations, council announcements, a consent docket, and a major discussion on a proposed Simple Planned Unit Development (SPUD) at 1107-1111 Chautauqua Avenue, 601-615 Hoover Street, and 1010-1030 College Avenue. After extensive public comment and amendment, the council voted unanimously to approve the SPUD on final reading. The meeting was recessed due to a tornado watch, resuming on March 17, 2026.

Proclamations

• Item 1 – Earth Day & Green Norman EcoBration (March 22 – May 18, 2026): The council acknowledged a proclamation designating April 22, 2026 as Earth Day (55th anniversary) and March 22 – May 18, 2026 as "Green Norman EcoBration." Michelle (city staff) and Katrina Boatler accepted, noting community events including the 26th annual Earth Day Festival at Reeves Park on April 26, 2026 (noon–5 p.m.).
• Item 2 – Women's History Month (March 2026): Proclamation accepted with a theme of "Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future." A speaker highlighted historical figures (Susan B. Anthony, Ida B. Wells Barnett, Zitkala-Sa, Fannie Lou Hamer) and current challenges to women's rights.
• Item 3 – Public Transit Professional Appreciation Day (March 18, 2026): Proclamation presented by Will Taylor Johnson. Transit staff (Annie Jamerson, Jerry Madden, Todd Marino, Sean Lachance) were recognized. Public transit services travel over 622,293 miles and facilitate over 549,832 passenger trips annually in Norman.
• Item 4 – International Compost Awareness Week (May 3–9, 2026): Proclamation accepted; theme: "Compost, Feed the Soil that Feeds Us." Lisa from OK Composts noted events including a compost festival at Scissortail Park on May 9th.

Council Announcements

• Ward 1: Fundraiser for Center for Children and Families.
• Ward 3: Reminder of five propositions on the April 7th ballot; Oklahoma Ethics Commission interim campaign finance reporting system now operational.
• Ward 5: Encouraged voting in the April 7th election and a Ward 5 candidate runoff.
• Ward 6: Thanked Center for Children and Families; promoted Norman PTA Council's Suite Symphony chocolate festival on March 28th (student musicians can apply to perform).
• Ward 7: OU Spring Pow Wow (March 24); medieval fair at Reeves Park (April 10); Earth Day Festival (April 26).
• Mayor: Reminder of April 7th voting, voter registration deadline Friday at 5 p.m., and a Ward 5 candidate forum on March 11 (6–8 p.m.).

Consent Calendar

• Items 5–19 were placed on the consent docket and approved unanimously without discussion.

Discussion Item: Item 20 – SPUD Rezoning (1107-1111 Chautauqua Ave, 601-615 Hoover St, 1010-1030 College Ave)

Presentation by Councilmember Peacock (Architect of Record)

• Councilmember Peacock recused from the vote due to an actual conflict of interest (he worked professionally on the project), but was permitted to present.
• Background: The original project (24 units, 21 parking spaces, single access on Chautauqua, 85% impervious coverage) was withdrawn after neighborhood concerns. The revised project includes additional parcels (Hoover and College) and proposes 108 condominiums (larger one-bedroom or 330 sq ft micro-units), 109 parking spaces (88 on-site, 21 on-street, plus 28 spaces for the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity via a property swap related to Lindsay Street expansion), 40 new trees, 79% impervious coverage, commercial trash service, and two access points (Hoover and College, no Chautauqua access).
• The development is consistent with the AIM Norman 2045 Urban Medium land use (allows 3-4 stories, multi-unit housing). The Planning Commission voted 7-0 to approve.
• Neighbor requests: A proposed 6-8 ft solid masonry wall was rejected due to safety concerns (CPTED principles); a shorter wall compromise was offered but still under discussion. Additional SPUD language addresses noise, outdoor speakers, events, yard parking, resident-generated litter, and lighting – sent to neighbors on January 28, 2026, with limited feedback received.
• Traffic study (TEC): The project generates only 25% of traffic requiring a full impact analysis; no traffic issues anticipated.

Amendment by Councilmember Grant

• Motion to amend subpart 3M of the SPUD narrative to prohibit outdoor amplified sound similar to a professional sound system.
• Several speakers (Barbara O'Brien, Steve Ellis, Mike, Marguerite Larson, Sarah Wallace) spoke in favor, citing existing noise issues from the Kappa Sigma house (professional sound systems, DJs, laser light shows).
• The amendment passed unanimously.

Public Comments on the Amendment

• Speakers asked for stronger language (no DJs or light shows) and expressed concern that short-term rentals could undermine the intended young professional demographic.

Public Comments on the SPUD (as amended)

• Stephen Ellis (Ward 4): Questioned the value of the SPUD to the city; predicted the units would become "football flats" and short-term rentals, not housing for young professionals. Suggested an amendment banning short-term rentals.
• Marguerite Larson (Ward 6): Supported the short-term rental concern, citing negative impacts on neighborhoods.
• Luigi Povani: Opposed demolition of existing "cute houses" that define Norman's character; supported density in other forms.
• Fred Schmidt (University Lutheran Church): The church was caught off-guard by the first reading on February 24 (12 days after Planning Commission, vs. the expected three weeks). Requested more time to negotiate with the developer.
• Joe Grabowski: Noted that with 108 units and only 88 off-street spaces, the parking ratio is 0.88:1, inadequate for multiple-vehicle households and guests; parking will overflow into the neighborhood and church lot.
• Sandra Longcrier: Proposed a floor amendment to limit the project to 3 stories and 99 units, citing Census data that suggests 109 cars would be generated for 108 units, but only 88 spaces are provided.
• Doug Bowden: Raised stormwater concerns: 79% impervious coverage will increase runoff; proposed infiltration trenches may not work in clay soil; requested soil testing before approval.
• Sarah Wallace: Stated that despite developer claims, neighbors have not had sufficient opportunity to add covenants to the SPUD; asked for safeguards (noise, parking enforcement).
• Barbara O'Brien (1124 Chautauqua, across from site): Described decades of noise from fraternities; asked for no outdoor speakers, sound systems, DJs, or light shows; urged council to change city ordinances to prevent nuisance behavior.
• John Kaufman (725 Hoover St, 26-year resident): Stressed existing traffic/parking congestion on Hoover; worried that adding 108 residents will worsen conditions; urged a wall on Chautauqua to prevent shortcuts.
• Kathy Bowden (University Lutheran Church, 33-year member): Noted church parking lot is directly adjacent; feared overflow parking and short-term rentals, which would increase noise and security issues; requested removal of STR allowance from the SPUD.
• Cindy Rogers: Opposed the project overall.
• Chelsea Gravel (Ward 4): Initially opposed the first design, but found the revised design impressive; believes parking shortages and STRs are a developer risk; supports the project.
• Carlinda Gravel (Ward 4, First Courthouse neighborhood): Acknowledged that development inevitably reduces quality of life for some; urged council to listen to affected residents.
• Miami Windler (Ward 2): Suggested requiring homestead exemptions for condo buyers to prevent STRs.
• Terry Bell (Norman resident, University Lutheran member): Noted that the Elmwood area has transitioned to student rentals; church parking is already used by students; fears this project will exacerbate parking and noise issues.

Council Discussion

• Councilmember Grant: Asked about the financial timeline; developer stated that closing on the Hoover and College properties must happen by Thursday, postponement would kill the project. The developer (a Norman resident) is open to future amendments and plans to pre-sell units. Parking strategy includes potential overflow at Lloyd Noble Center (with shuttle) and talks with OU; a parking study is underway via a pro-housing grant.
• Councilmember Hinkle: Asked about the condo owners association; developer plans to either form a POA or hire a property management company.
• Councilmember Gansbury: Requested city manager Darrell to work with Police Chief Foster on enforcing noise/nuisance ordinances against the Kappa Sigma house, citing video evidence provided by residents.
• Councilmember Bruce: Questioned parking allocation; developer stated micro-units may not come with a parking space, fostering a car-free lifestyle.
• Councilmember Grant: Asked about short-term rentals; developer acknowledged they are allowed under existing zoning but is open to setting guardrails.
• Councilmember (Ward 7): Noted the site was previously a 24-unit apartment complex (torn down) that had lower impervious coverage (~60-65%); believes the SPUD is preferable to what could be built by right (e.g., a six-bedroom, 20-unit project at 1010 College). Supports the project with expectations of continued conversation.

Outcome of Item 20

• The ordinance (0-2526-40) was adopted on final reading as amended (including the amplified sound prohibition), with all council members voting in favor. Councilmember Peacock recused from the vote.

Key Outcomes

• Item 20 (SPUD): Approved 8-0 (with Peacock recused). The rezoning to SPUD will allow construction of 108 condos with specific restrictions on amplified outdoor sound.
• Councilmember Grant and the developer committed to ongoing dialogue with neighbors to address additional concerns (short-term rentals, parking, noise).
• Request to Police Department: Council directed city staff to work with Chief Foster to enforce noise ordinances at problem properties (specifically the Kappa Sigma house).

Recess Due to Weather

• A motion to recess to March 17, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. (council chambers) passed by a vote of 8-1 (Councilmember Gansberry voting no).
• Items 21 and 22 (plus miscellaneous comments) will be taken up at the reconvened meeting.
• The council acknowledged a tornado watch; the meeting ended with an alert for attendees to travel safely.