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Commission backs mixed‑use rezoning and comp‑plan amendment for Tisdale project despite neighborhood opposition
Summary
The commission approved a land‑use change and rezoning for a nearly 17‑acre project south of West Apache that would add mixed‑use buildings, a grocery concept and an urgent care to a Reservoir Hill‑adjacent site. Neighbors voiced concerns about tree loss, traffic and commercialization.
The Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission on June 4 approved a comprehensive‑plan amendment and a rezoning to allow a mixed‑use development on about 16–17 acres south of West Apache adjacent to L.L. Tisdale Parkway. The two related items (comp plan amendment — item 9 — and rezoning — item 4) cleared the commission after staff recommended approval.
Applicant William Tisdale told commissioners the owner bought roughly 40 acres in the area and is proposing a mix of retail and multifamily: a roughly 20,000‑square‑foot medical clinic offering urgent care (not an emergency room), a health/wellness center, a no‑contact grocery concept that will offer delivery or curbside pickup, townhomes and about a hundred residential units overall rather than the 400+ apartments that could be developed under existing multifamily zoning. Staff described the rezoning request as converting the parcel from RM‑1 (multifamily) to an MX (mixed‑use) district with an MX‑2 use level, a variable character designation and a 55‑foot height cap.
Multiple neighborhood residents spoke in opposition at the public hearing, saying the change would commercialize a long‑established, historic neighborhood (Reservoir Hill), increase traffic and noise, reduce tree canopy and threaten property values. Several residents said they prefer retaining multifamily zoning rather than adding commercial uses; others questioned the grocery concept's "no contact" model and expressed skepticism about neighborhood outreach. The applicant said the project team held two neighborhood meetings and adjusted plans to increase buffering and use underground parking to reduce surface lots; engineer Michael Hicks said landscaping and new plantings were proposed to screen development and reduce visible hardscaping.
Commissioners were divided in comment. Some said the proposal is a thoughtful way to introduce services and moderate density; others, including a commissioner who raised the long stretch of mature trees in the area, urged caution about losing canopy and called for creative ways to retain green space. The commission first approved the comprehensive‑plan amendment and then approved the rezoning per staff recommendation.
Both votes were recorded by voice; the hearing minutes show motions to approve each item and commission approval on both items.
