Business & Community Affairs Committee, 1/7/26

The City of Norman's Business and Community Affairs Committee met on January 7, 2026, to discuss future development code regulations, specifically chapters 30 and 36, focusing on minimum lot size, setbacks, street frontage, and coverage standards. The committee reviewed historical data on planned unit developments (PUDs) and considered legal implications related to zoning enforceability and administrative versus recommendation-only standards. They emphasized the need to establish clear priorities for a consultant, Clarion, to update the development codes, including expanding considerations to commercial properties. The committee discussed forming a technical advisory committee composed of subject matter experts to review drafts and provide input, with a timeline aiming for late spring or early summer for initial reviews and a full public input period following draft completion. The process is expected to take approximately 24 months. No formal resolution was deemed necessary at this stage, but clear direction was given to staff to proceed with contract finalization and stakeholder engagement to modernize zoning and development standards, allowing more flexibility and market-driven development while maintaining essential requirements such as setbacks and frontage for safety and access.