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RESOLUTION NO. R-1112-132: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, ADOPTING THE BISHOP CREEK NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN AS AN ELEMENT OF THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
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BACKGROUND: The Norman 2025 Land Use and Transportation Plan adopted in 2004 recommended the establishment of a neighborhood planning program with a dedicated City staff member to manage the process. The program would be designed to "engage neighborhoods in Norman's Core Area in a participatory planning process to directly address such issues as land use compatibility, parking, circulation, and neighborhood improvements." The 2025 Plan also recommended that "the Planning Commission and City Council would adopt each of the neighborhood plans as an element of the City's Comprehensive Plan." The City Council adopted its first two neighborhood plans under this new program in 2007.
DISCUSSION: Bishop Creek Neighborhood is one of Norman's Core Area neighborhoods as defined by the boundaries of the Core Area. The neighborhood itself is bounded on the north by Alameda; on the east by 12th Avenue SE, on the south by Boyd Street and on the west by Bishop Creek and the west side of Oklahoma Avenue.
The plan was initiated in 2011 when several neighborhood residents became aware of the city's neighborhood planning program for Core Area neighborhoods. These residents requested that the City of Norman Neighborhood Planning staff meet with residents to discuss concerns about traffic issues and changing demographics. This area has not previously been organized into a formal neighborhood but residents came together in September 2011 to participate in the development of a neighborhood plan.
The Bishop Creek Neighborhood Plan is the City's fifth neighborhood plan to be considered for adoption. The Bishop Creek Neighborhood Plan does not modify any underlying land use adopted by the Norman 2025 Land Use and Transportation Plan. The neighborhood plan is a policy document that is intended to help protect the neighborhood's assets and effectively reverse negative trends in the area.
The guiding principle of the Bishop Creek Neighborhood Plan is "strengthen what we have." This principle is articulated by three long-term goals followed by a variety of specific recommendations. Many of these recommendations will be implemented by neighborhood residents themselves; some by City staff, and some by a partnership of City staff working alongside neighborhood residents.
The Planning Commission discussed the Bishop Creek Neighborhood Plan on May 10, 2012 and voted unanimously to recommend adoption.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the Bishop Creek Neighborhood Plan.