The Tulsa City Council is about to tackle the zoning code update. If that sounds boring, arcane and unimportant, you’re not alone in that opinion.
But you are wrong — at least when it comes to calling the code unimportant. It’s not.
The zoning code is the legally binding rule book property owners must follow if they wish to alter their property or build something on it.
It’s the rule book your neighbors and developers have to follow, too.
With the City Council expected to vote on the updated zoning code early next month, we asked eight people from various walks of life — each of whom is familiar with the updated code — to answer questions about it.
We hope this helps you better understand the proposed changes to the code and the impact the zoning code could have on your life.
To view the proposed zoning code updates, go here.
Underneath each person’s picture is a quote, click on it to be taken to their full thoughts on the city’s zoning code update.
Lou Reynolds/ Land-use attorney: “People should care about the new zoning code because of its relationship with the Comprehensive Plan and private property rights.”
Michelle Cantrell/Former Planning Commission member: “What and how something can be built in your neighborhood can greatly affect the value of your home, as well as your quality of life.”
Joe Westervelt/Developer and former Planning Commission member: “For the first time since the 1970’s, the City of Tulsa zoning code has been systematically updated.”
Paul Kane/Home Builder: “I would encourage the City Council to examine the new Mixed-Use District closely.”
Amanda DeCort/Executive Director, Tulsa Foundation for Architecture: “If you care about how Tulsa looks and how it functions, and how it changes, then you should care about the zoning code update.”
Sarah Kobos/Tulsa resident: “The new Mixed-Use zoning type is important because it allows us to rebuild traditional neighborhoods.”
Shawn Schaefer/Tulsa resident: “I can think of no law that affects more people on a daily basis than zoning.”
Dawn Warrick/Tulsa city planner: “The code that has been crafted and vetted for consideration by the City Council represents a solid step toward implementation of PlaniTulsa.”
Caroline Guerra/Tulsa Young Professional: “Our current zoning code is terribly outdated; in fact, the zoning code hasn’t been overhauled since the 1970s.”
