City Council Recap | September 25, 2024

The City Council met on September 25, 2024, for committee meetings and a regular meeting.

Below are the highlights of Council discussion and action items.  

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Urban & Economic Development Committee Meeting | 10:30am

Discussion of Proposed Housing Feasibility Zoning Code Amendments – Path to Home

Councilors met with representatives from the Planning Office to discuss a proposed ordinance amending the Housing Feasibility Zoning Code.

A 2023 housing study revealed a housing crisis in Tulsa that will require over 12,000 housing units in the next ten years, a 55% increase in current house production. The Planning Office conducted a three-part housing strategy presentation to Councilors during committee meetings to highlight the current housing lifestyles of Tulsans and the shortcomings in the current zoning code.

The proposed amendment would address six key concepts:

• Allowing different housing types in Office & Commercial Districts

• Hotel/Office-to-Residential conversions

• Removing the time limit on special exemption approvals of manufactured housing

• Adjusting the amount of cottage houses on a single lot

• Reducing regulatory barriers for accessory dwelling units/backyard cottages

• Reducing and simplifying mandatory parking requirements

Councilors will bring this item back for another committee discussion on October 16 before the scheduled vote on October 30.

View the discussion here

View the presentation here

View the 2024 Housing Series Presentations here

Discussion of Proposed District 2 Community Development Priority Projects at Route 66 Village

Councilor Jeannie Cue presented a proposed a District 2 Community Priority Project to continue improvement efforts along Route 66.

The improvements will include:

• The installation of Bell Station and neon sign

• Improved sound upgrades within the Redfork Train Depot and Phillips Cottage Gas Station

• Accent lighting for Route 66 Village Oil Derrick

• Improvements to the Route 66 Main Street headquarters

• Handicap ramps for the train

• Flag poles, lighting, and landscaping for Route 66 international flag mall

• Landscaping and streetscaping around Route 66 Village

• Installation of mural for public art

The City Council voted to approve the items at the 5pm regular meeting.

View the discussion here

View the presentation here

View the vote here

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Public Works Committee Meeting | 2:30pm

Discussion of HUD Grant Funding Recommendations for Program Year 2025

Councilors discussed the proposed grant funding recommendations for the Housing Urban & Development (HUD) Program Year 2025. The Grants Department listed priority needs and goals, including:

• Affordable Housing Units

• Housing Assistance

• Homelessness Services

• Neighborhood Investments

• Assistance for People Experiencing and Fleeing Domestic Violence

• Mental Health Treatment

• Assistance for those with Disabilities

• Services for Low Income Households to Meet Basic Needs

• Job Creation & Employment Opportunities

The Council is scheduled to vote on this item at the 5pm regular meeting on October 16.

View the discussion here

View the HUD Committee Meeting here

View the recommendations here

Discussion Regarding Native American Day & Dream Keepers Park

Representatives from the Tulsa Parks Department and the Tribal Nations Relations Committee met with Councilors to present the plans for the proposed revitalization project at Dream Keepers Park.

The $10 million project will include funds from Improve Our Tulsa 2 District 4 funds as well as a $3.6 million National Park Service Grant. This grant is the first awarded to a municipality working exclusively with Native American tribes in Oklahoma. Planned improvements to the park include:

• More lighting, parking, and green space

• New signage

• 39 flag poles to represent the 39 Indian nations in Oklahoma, and three gardens to represent the three tribes in Tulsa – Osage, Cherokee, and Muscogee

• An event space and stage

They also discussed the events and parade that will be on Native American Day on October 14. More information on Native American Day is available here.

View the discussion here

View information regarding the park renovation here

For more information on IOT2 projects, visit tulsacouncil.org/iot2

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Tulsa City Council Meeting | 5:00pm

Public Hearing – Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) Application Grant from HUD

Councilors held a public hearing regarding the City of Tulsa’s draft application for the FY 2024 Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) Grant from HUD.

The City’s PRO Housing Initiative addresses Tulsa’s affordable housing crisis by integrating comprehensive stakeholder collaboration, strategic resource coordination, and policy reform. It builds on the Path to Home strategy to unite stakeholders such as residents, business leaders, and advocates, to support equitable housing development.

The proposed application addresses three key barriers:

• Limited developer capacity

• Outdated zoning and land use policies

• Financial gaps that make affordable housing projects economically infeasible

Tulsa residents can submit their public comment on the draft application until October 6 before the final draft is submitted.

Submit a comment by emailing grantsadmin@cityoftulsa.org

View the public hearing here

View the draft application here

To learn more about Path to Home, visit www.cityoftulsa.org/PathToHome.