Councilor Barnes listens to her constituents' cry for help, how novel, and this is how she is treated.
City officials join to fight infill building
by: P.J. LASSEK World Staff Writer
2/15/2008 12:00 AM
But some people question how the proposal is being handled.
City Councilor Maria Barnes and Michelle Cantrell, a member of the city's Planning Commission, are spearheading an effort to put further restrictions on infill development in older residential areas.
pu,UFslams Barnes is having her staff craft an ordinance that would allow for the establishment of neighborhood conservation zoning overlays for residential areas built before 1970.
Cantrell, who also is Barnes' campaign manager, has put the proposal on the Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission's work session agenda for Feb. 27.
In its current draft form, the proposed ordinance provides for a conservation zoning overlay that would dictate the type of development in a neighborhood if 50 percent of the residents who live there agree to the zoning.
"It's not historic preservation zoning," Barnes said. "It doesn't address aesthetics; just setbacks, scale and style of homes."
Fighting 'McMansions': She explained that in a neighborhood where houses all have flat roofs, the conservation zoning would require any new development to have a flat roof.
Or, it would curb large homes on small lots, commonly called "McMansions," in a neighborhood where there are smaller houses on large lots, she said.
Barnes said the ordinance is still evolving and could change quite a bit before the final draft is ready.
Cantrell said a growing number of infill developments have upset neighborhood residents because they believe that the new residences harm the character of their areas.
Residents 'don't trust INCOG': She said the approach she and Barnes have taken in drafting an ordinance bypasses Indian Nations Council of Government personnel, which deals with the city's plan ning, because the neighborhood residents "don't trust INCOG."
Cantrell said she doesn't think her participation creates a conflict, even though she will be voting on the proposed ordinance.
But former Planning Commission members question that opinion.
The Planning Commission code of ethics states that "the possibility, not the actuality, of a conflict of interest" should govern decisions.
"Obviously, I won't have made a decision until I hear the input of public hearings on the ordinance," Cantrell said.
Public hearings: The ordinance will go through a process that includes public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council.
Although the Planning Commission will vote on a recommendation to support or oppose the ordinance, it is up to the council to approve it or not.
Brandon Jackson, a former Planning Commission member and homebuilder, said a commissioner "shouldn't be involved in the drafting of an ordinance. We're not there to make policy; we're there to conduct policy."
The city's administration is not prepared to take a stand now on whether the city should implement conservation districts.
Susan Neal, who oversees neighborhood issues for Mayor Kathy Taylor, said that before Thursday, the administration had not been informed about the effort other than hearing from a few residents.
Homebuilders' concerns: Paul Kane, CEO of the Home Builders Association, who has been involved in Barnes' effort, said a significant number of the association's members are very concerned.
"The biggest issue is the infringement on private property rights," he said.
"One of the things I've tried to do is to make sure that this thing doesn't get overreaching. Some of the members in my association think we shouldn't have it at all, and others who think if it is inevitable say we need to make sure it is not unduly burdensome."
P.J. Lassek 581-8382
pj.lassek@tulsaworld.com