What was intended to be a routine feedback session on Oklahoma City’s major development code update quickly turned into an unexpected scramble for shelter on Tuesday night, when tornado sirens rang out and residents were forced to take cover.
The meeting, held at the Belle Isle Library, was abruptly adjourned after attendees sought refuge in the basement due to a Tornado Warning issued by the National Weather Service. Despite the disruption, city planners pledged to continue engaging with the community online.
The Storm Scramble at Belle Isle Library
The meeting, which was part of a series to discuss the update to the city’s development code, was interrupted by tornado sirens as a warning was issued for parts of the Oklahoma City metro. According to reports from the Oklahoma City Free Press and the NWS Norman office, attendees were swiftly ushered into a utility room in the library’s basement to ride out the storm. The warning lasted approximately 30 minutes, after which the meeting was canceled for the night.
Assistant Planning Director Lisa Chronister thanked the residents for their patience during the storm and assured them that outreach efforts would continue, with future discussions to be rescheduled online.
Details of the Development Code Update
The ongoing update to Oklahoma City’s Development Code is part of a multi-phase initiative aimed at making the city’s land-use rules more transparent and aligned with current needs. The update intends to replace outdated rules that were written for a much smaller city.
Key objectives of the code update include:
- Simplifying base zoning districts.
- Streamlining processes for development approvals.
- Updating design standards to better reflect the character of existing neighborhoods.
Planners have provided background materials, slide decks, and online mapping tools for residents to review the proposed zoning, subdivision, and design standards, ensuring that public participation continues even after the disruption.
Addressing the Housing Shortage
During the meeting, Ward 2 Councilman James Cooper highlighted the direct connection between the development code update and the city’s ongoing housing shortage. He pointed out that Oklahoma City is facing a gap of approximately 19,400 people in need of one- to two-bedroom homes, while only 3,600 such units are currently available.
The Housing Affordability Implementation Plan has echoed these concerns, recommending changes to regulations to incentivize the development of smaller, more affordable housing units. Planners and council members are hopeful that the new code will encourage the creation of smaller housing types, such as accessory dwelling units, and make it easier to develop these units in more areas of the city.
How to Provide Feedback
Despite the disruption caused by the storm, the city’s planning staff emphasized that the update process would continue as planned. All draft documents, maps, and feedback forms are available on the city’s development code update portal, and residents can still submit their comments online.
Residents are encouraged to:
- Email: [email protected]
- Sign up for project updates through the city’s mailing list.
- Attend future open houses and public hearings that will be scheduled as the draft moves toward formal adoption.
The city is committed to incorporating public input into the update process, particularly when it comes to ensuring that new housing fits with the character of historic and established neighborhoods while increasing supply in areas where it’s most needed.
