Tulsa’s city council has passed the city’s first comprehensive zoning code update in decades.
While some pieces remain, the new ordinances do away with form-based codes. Those focus more on things like building size and public space and less on land use.
Developer Jamie Jamieson said many cities are now instituting form-based codes, especially for their downtowns.
"It strikes me as a bit embarrassing and rather daft for us to be repealing one," Jamieson. "We looked very clever as a city for a couple of years after installing it, because we were up there in the forefront. Now, we've just shot ourselves in the foot, I think."
The new code includes a controversial provision prohibiting downtown residents from creating overlays — areas with more stringent regulations on things like signage and building appearance. Jamieson said that’s not right because downtown belongs to everyone, not just property owners.
"The only reason downtown buildings have any value whatsoever is because of the cumulative billions of tax dollars that have been invested in the public infrastructure in downtown," he said.
The new zoning code allows Tulsans who live outside of downtown to create overlays.
The zoning code also limits dynamic displays — electronic signs that display video or cycle through several messages. Susan Miller with INCOG said those won’t be approved anymore.
"They will be as they were approved originally, but those will not be permitted as of Jan. 1," she said.
That means existing electronic billboards and other dynamic displays not meeting new zoning code regulations will be grandfathered in. New ones must leave messages up at least eight seconds and fall within brightness limits.
They must also be set back certain distances from roadways, residential areas and other dynamic displays.
The new zoning code takes effect Jan. 1.
