Traffic commission approves parking changes and neighborhood speed request; refers Bricktown food-truck curfew to council

The Traffic and Transportation Commission approved a series of parking and traffic-control requests and referred a proposed Bricktown food-truck curfew ordinance to the City Council during its March 17 meeting.

Most immediately, the commission unanimously approved three private-development parking applications: a diagonal mid-block pedestrian crossing and a full-time passenger loading (lay-by) zone at the junction of Oak Street and Northwest 50th Street; a 60-degree angled parking lay-by with a 30-minute limit and one ADA-accessible space on the west side of Oak Street; and an on-street valet passenger-loading zone tied to the same lay-by. Mohammed Khan of SMC Consulting summarized the developer requests, saying the measures aim to “improve the circulation” and provide additional parking to serve expanding development. The commission voted 7-0 on those three items.

The commission also approved a separate reserved parallel parking area and one ADA-accessible space on NW 60th Street proposed by Caleb Morgan of Johnson Associates. Staff told commissioners the single accessible space, combined with another existing accessible space on the block, meets current PROWAG (Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines) ratio requirements. That item passed 7-0.

On a neighborhood safety request, resident James Ray asked the commission to reduce the posted speed limit in the Forest Tree subdivision. Staff presented a multi-day radar study collected Feb. 27–March 3 capturing 786 vehicle passes on the block of Southeast 60th Street between Forestry Lane and Westminster Road. Staff reported a 50th-percentile speed of 19 mph, an 80th-percentile speed of 22 mph and a highest observed speed of 32 mph in the study window. After discussion about neighborhood conditions, enforcement and traffic-calming alternatives, the commission approved the applicant’s request; the roll call on that motion was 6 in favor, 1 opposed. The meeting record does not specify the new posted speed limit.

The commission continued one item (applicant-requested continuance) to the April 21 meeting.

Finally, the commission reviewed a proposed amendment to Chapter 32 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic) to restrict food trucks from operating inside the defined Bricktown area overnight. Major Dan Stewart, speaking for police, said the intent is to reduce late-night crowding by removing a food-truck presence in the immediate club district after 11:00 p.m. so officers can disperse outgoing crowds more effectively. Commissioners voted 6-1 to refer the draft ordinance to the City Council; staff said the ordinance would remove food trucks from Bricktown between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., with enforcement options including citations and potential impoundment.

Votes at a glance

- Item 5a — Mid-block diagonal pedestrian crossing at Oak Street & NW 50th; full-time passenger loading lay-by. Motion to approve (mover: Commissioner Littlefield; second: Commissioner Cornett). Outcome: approved, 7-0. - Item 5b — 60-degree angle parking lay-by on Oak Street; 30-minute time limit; one accessible parking space (PROWAG-conforming). Motion to approve (mover: Commissioner Littlefield; second: Commissioner Cornett). Outcome: approved, 7-0. - Item 5c — Valet passenger-loading designation tied to the lay-by from 5a. Motion to approve (mover: Commissioner Littlefield; second: Commissioner Karnes). Outcome: approved, 7-0. - Item 5d — Parallel parking lay-by and one ADA-accessible space on NW 60th (mixed-use development). Motion to approve (mover: Commissioner Littlefield; second: Commissioner Hale). Outcome: approved, 7-0. - Item 5e — Neighborhood speed-limit reduction request (Forest Tree subdivision). Motion to approve (mover: Commissioner Hale; second: Commissioner Littlefield). Outcome: approved, 6-1. Staff study: 786 vehicles observed (Feb. 27–Mar. 3), 50th-percentile 19 mph, 80th-percentile 22 mph, top observed 32 mph. The transcript does not state the exact newly posted limit. - Item 5f — Applicant-requested continuance to April 21. Motion to continue (mover: Commissioner George; second: Commissioner Cornett). Outcome: continued to April 21, 2025. - Item 5g — Draft ordinance amending Chapter 32 to remove food trucks from Bricktown overnight (proposed hours in draft: 11:00 p.m.–5:00 a.m.). Motion to refer to City Council (mover: Commissioner Cornett; second: Commissioner Karnes). Outcome: referral approved, 6-1.

Why it matters

These approvals allow several private-development curb treatments and accessibility features to move forward and put a neighborhood speed-reduction request into effect pending sign posting and enforcement. The Bricktown referral sends a public-safety–oriented ordinance to City Council that would change the nighttime operating window for mobile food vendors in a high-activity entertainment district.

What’s next

Approved parking and loading actions are discretionary approvals the applicants will implement under existing city standards and PROWAG-accessibility requirements. The Bricktown ordinance, if referred, will next be considered by City Council. The continued item will return to the commission agenda on April 21, 2025.

Sources: Traffic and Transportation Commission meeting transcript, March 17, 2025; staff traffic-speed study (Feb. 27–Mar. 3, 2025).