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CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE O-1718-7 UPON SECOND AND FINAL READING: AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, AMENDING SECTION 460 OF CHAPTER 22 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF NORMAN SO AS TO GRANT SPECIAL USE FOR A MIXED BUILDING IN THE C-3, INTENSIVE COMMERCIAL DISTRICT FOR LOT FOURTEEN (14), IN BLOCK TWENTY-THREE (23), OF ORIGINAL TOWNSITE OF NORMAN, CLEVELAND COUNTY, OKLAHOMA; AND PROVIDING FOR THE SEVERABILITY THEREOF. (330 EAST MAIN STREET)
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SYNOPSIS: The applicant is requesting Special Use for a two-story mixed building (commercial/office use on the first floor and residential use on the second floor) located at 330 East Main Street. The site is currently vacant; there was a building on this parcel but it was demolished approximately a decade ago. The proposal is to construct a new building with loft apartments above a commercial/office space zoned C-3, Intensive Commercial District.
ANALYSIS: Under the C-3 zoning district, Special Use for Mixed Building can be granted for a residential component on the upper floors as long as the use on the ground floor is a permitted use within the district.
Within the last decade, and since Main Street/Downtown Revitalization, there have been six Special Use requests granted for mixed buildings along Main Street. Utilizing the second floor space above the commercial space for dwellings was how many of the historic buildings in Downtown Norman were originally designed. The Main Street Revitalization Project took place in the early 2000’s which started to bring back the residential component into Downtown Norman; road and traffic control improvements, new street lighting, landscaping, street furniture and multi-modal sidewalks were all part of the revitalization project.
ALTERNATIVES/ ISSUES:
IMPACTS The C-3 zoning district doesn’t have a parking requirement to provide off-street parking for any use within the district. In downtown Norman, along Main Street, there is on-street parking.
POLICY: The NORMAN 2025 Land Use and Transportation Plan established Goals and Policies that are significant when establishing a general statement of intent for the future growth and development of the City. One of the Goals encouraging additional residential development in the downtown area is as follows:
Goal 3: Housing and Neighborhoods
Encourage and support diversified housing types and densities in order to serve different income levels, family structures, and ownership.
4. Foster and encourage construction of new residential units, and conversion of underutilized buildings into residential units in downtown Norman.
OTHER AGENCY COMMENTS:
PARK BOARD: This property will retain its commercial designation and was platted as part of the Original Town Site. No parkland dedication is required for this proposal.
PUBLIC WORKS: This property was platted as part of the Original Town Site of Norman. No additional public improvements are required for this proposal.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Since the downtown revitalization occurred on Main Street, east of the railroad tracks, there have been six other Special Use requests approved for a Mixed Building on East Main Street. The NORMAN 2025 Goals and Policies promote development in the downtown area with residential uses. Staff supports this Special Use request and recommends approval of Ordinance O-1718-7. Planning Commission, at their September 14, 2017 meeting, unanimously recommended adoption of this ordinance, on a vote of 8-0.