Can people say some examples of what was proposed and left out? Only thing I've seen from Smart Growth is they are pissed because they want the 71st/Riverside site as R1 instead of R2 and they don't like that the expansions have creeped up to 50% from 20 or 25%. Neither one of those I see as a reason to be that upset over.
What else? I'd rather see some examples so they can be discussed versus just saying "they didn't listen to me, now I'm mad. I'll never participate in anything public again" (by the way, that's what people like Dewey want).
Tulsa is taking steps to listening to citizens, frankly 10 years ago the REI would have already be up and open. It's important that even if ideas are still "trampled" over that people keep speaking up, keep going to meetings, and grow the support for better planning and development. Don't throw your hands up and say forget it.
On a case by case basis, the city is getting better. Simon/Turkey Mountain and REI/Helmerich are two really good examples.
As you may or may not be aware, I was the strategist behind the public and government appeal with the TUWC to move the Simon outlet project elsewhere from Turkey Mountain. I also met with councilors and staff at INCOG. Sitting through TMAPC and PRC hearings, I did see a thoughtful approach and willingness to listen by board members and planning staff and I always had an open door with most of the council members.
My issue stems from the huge public outreach on Plani-Tulsa and the thousands of hours citizens lent to the process only to have that process more or less shelved and ignored. I’ve been a part of small area planning sessions which everyone felt great about and then they've eventually been completely ignored as well. The recent change to the zoning code seemed largely devoid of public input, but rather ended up with mostly input from the development community.
In spite of public input, well-connected companies like QT can obtain variances quite easily. Ask people who put countless hours into the Pearl FBC how happy they are their input was ignored on that one.
The RDO is yet one more example, at least according to SGTC, is also largely devoid of public input,
thus far. That said, I ended up having lunch with a city council member on Tuesday quite by accident and they were lamenting another councilor’s insistence that there be more time allowed for the RDO to have town hall meetings with the public to seek their input. For the most part, our council is starting to become much more in tune with progressive development concepts and I applaud them for this. I hope public input really is used in the RDO, and I hope companies like QT can’t simply walk in and get a variance which ignores the overlay.
I will never stop communicating with councilors on issues like this, but I don’t see any point in taking time from my busy schedule to attend public planning sessions when I’ve provided multiple examples where public input has been asked for then summarily dismissed.
I hope I was specific enough to show why my cynicism and skepticism is well-founded when it comes to overlays, small area plans, and master plans.
