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RESOLUTION NO. R-1314-124: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, AMENDING THE NORMAN 2025 LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION PLAN SO AS TO PLACE PART OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 5, TOWNSHIP 8 NORTH, RANGE 2 WEST OF THE INDIAN MERIDIAN, NORMAN, CLEVELAND COUNTY, OKLAHOMA, IN THE INSTITUTIONAL DESIGNATION AND REMOVE THE SAME FROM THE LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DESIGNATION. (1601 JENKINS AVENUE AND 1526 LINCOLN AVENUE)
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SUMMARY OF REQUEST: St. Thomas More Catholic Church is requesting a Land Use Plan amendment from Low Density Residential Designation to Institutional Designation to continue using two structures for church related activities. St. Thomas More owns the structures located on these two lots south of their existing sanctuary.
STAFF ANALYSIS: The NORMAN 2025 Plan identifies two criteria that must be examined before a land use plan change is approved.
1. There has been a change in circumstances resulting from development of the properties in the general vicinity which suggest that the proposed change will not be contrary to the public interest.
St. Thomas More Catholic Church is a growing congregation; the church has expanded to include these subject tracts under their ownership. Within the general vicinity the University of Oklahoma has acquired several properties to the south of these subject tracts, previously single-family sites. The University built a new dorm facility to the north and increased parking lot sites that serve the University. In addition to the noted changes, a new traffic signal at the intersection of Jenkins Avenue and Stinson Street was installed to provide relief for the congestion in the area. .
2. There is a determination that the proposed change would not result in adverse land use or adverse traffic impacts to surrounding properties or the vicinity.
St. Thomas More is an established parish and has been at the current location for over 35 years. This is not a request to expand the sanctuary, only to bring the church’s entire ownership under the Institutional Designation. With the above noted changes in development and ownership no impacts will be anticipated. St. Thomas More is located across from the University of Oklahoma and is known for serving the students of the University as well as the larger University community. Many members of the church are associated with the University and walk to church.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the NORMAN 2025 Land Use and Transportation Plan amendment, Resolution No. R-1314-124. Planning Commission, at their meeting of May 8, 2014, recommended adoption of this resolution on a vote of 6-0.