Tulsa Board of Adjustment approves three variances, limits vehicle display at North Lewis auto shop

The City of Tulsa Board of Adjustment on July 22 approved variances for three separate properties, including a conditional allowance for outdoor vehicle display at an auto-repair business on North Lewis Avenue.

The board approved a variance for BOA Case 23906, allowing outdoor storage and merchandise display within 300 feet of an abutting residential district at 1322 North Lewis Avenue, subject to conditions limiting the number of vehicles for sale to five and requiring compliance with the parking-area design standards of section 55.09. The board also approved BOA Case 23912, reducing the required street setback from 20 feet to 15 feet 2 inches at 2147 North Owasso Avenue, and BOA Case 23915, reducing a required 20-foot rear setback to 8 feet 6 inches at 4737 South Irvington Avenue. Several other items on the agenda were continued or withdrawn for additional submittals.

Board members said they were trying to balance property owners’ ability to use their property with neighborhood impacts and the city’s permitting processes. Chair (name not recorded in the transcript) and several board members said technical, scaled site plans and coordination with permitting departments remain necessary even when the board approves use variances.

At 1322 North Lewis Avenue (BOA 23906), applicant Chastity Norman asked the board for a variance to allow outdoor storage and vehicle display in a location that abuts residential uses. Norman told the board her business operates as an auto-repair shop and that she wants to use existing…