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Oklahoma City Human Rights Commission adopts resolution to begin removing discriminatory language from city plats
Summary
The Human Rights Commission voted to adopt a resolution urging the city to start a process to amend historical plats that contain racially or religiously discriminatory restrictive covenants. Staff described the manual identification and planning steps; commissioners agreed to pursue outreach and potential volunteer support for the work.
The Oklahoma City Human Rights Commission voted to adopt a resolution on March 25 urging steps to remove discriminatory restrictive-covenant language from plats recorded in the city’s land records.
Emma Wineske, compliance officer for the commission, told commissioners the problem is not new and that other Oklahoma jurisdictions have started similar efforts. "Many plats, historically had discriminatory language that sort of allowed landlords or owners to not rent to certain protected classes," Wineske said, adding that Edmond has already completed a plat amendment earlier this year and that the city would need an organized process to identify affected plats.
Wineske described the process commissioners would be endorsing: an initial, manual review of plat documents (older PDFs and scanned records) to identify plats with restrictive covenants, targeted notification mailings to affected property owners, and planning-commission hearings followed by city-council approvals to formally amend plats. She said staff would coordinate template letters and work with planning and public information staff on outreach.
Commissioners discussed workload and phasing. Several commissioners urged a pragmatic approach that combines staff effort with volunteer identification work. Commissioner Brian (last name not specified) said the city's web tools and staff capacity will matter, and proposed an approach that focuses first on areas identified by historic redlining maps. Commissioner Ralph (last name not specified) moved adoption of the resolution; Commissioner Daisy seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.
The commission also discussed public outreach: pairing education events with volunteer "digging" sessions to review scanned plat records, coordinating with neighborhood groups and homeowners associations, and using the commission’s convening power to raise awareness. Wineske said she would forward a draft city-council resolution to city management and the mayor’s office and follow up with the commission on the council agenda date.
Votes at a glance
- Resolution to remove discriminatory language from city plats: Motion by Commissioner Ralph; second by Commissioner Daisy; outcome: adopted by voice vote. (Resolution number: not specified.)
- Approval of minutes from Jan. 22, 2025 meeting: Motion to approve by Commissioner Marcia (surname not specified); seconded by Commissioner Daisy; outcome: approved by voice vote.
- Election of Vice Chair: Dr. Marsha Heron nominated by the Rules and Governance Committee and elected by acclamation; outcome: Vice Chair Marsha Heron (by acclamation).
Commission staff said the resolution is expected to be paired with a council item and that implementation will require phased, labor-intensive work to identify affected plats and notify owners. Commissioners signaled willingness to help with outreach and volunteer efforts once staff provides a phased plan and materials.
