Planning commission approves rezoning of South Houston property to permit agricultural animals

The Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission on June 4 approved a rezoning (case C‑7816) to change a slightly more than 5‑acre parcel near South Houston from RS‑3 (single‑family residential) to AG (agriculture) to allow agricultural uses and the keeping of animals.

City planning staff told commissioners the property is bounded by AG zoning to the south and east and exceeds minimum lot standards for agricultural zoning. Planning staff recommended approval, noting the AG designation aligns with the neighborhood land‑use designation and would remove RS‑3 limits that forbid agricultural animals and restrict accessory building sizes.

Staff planner Nathan said the city ordinance limits large animals such as horses and cows to one per acre (meaning the 5‑acre parcel would be limited to five large animals) and that chicken allowances are more permissive (roughly six to ten birds under existing city rules). He also said the animal ordinance sets fencing requirements but there is no general screening requirement between agriculture and adjacent residential zones.

There were no members of the public signed up to speak on the item. A motion to approve the staff recommendation was made and seconded; the commission voted to approve the rezoning.

The approval changes what the property owner may lawfully keep on the lot (e.g., large livestock and accessory agricultural buildings) subject to the city animal ordinance and any required fencing or spacing standards. The commission record notes the staff report contained a clerical error identifying the requested change as "mixed use," which staff corrected in the hearing to "agricultural."