Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Code Amendments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee considers zoning changes to define farmers markets and expand rooftop signage downtown
Summary
An amendment to Title 42 was discussed to create a clear zoning definition for farmers markets and expand where rooftop signs may be permitted downtown; members debated parking rules, Board of Adjustment authority and limits on locating markets in residential zones.
The committee reviewed Ordinance Z7CA36, a proposed amendment to the City of Tulsa zoning code (Title 42) that would add explicit provisions for farmers markets and expand rooftop signage allowances downtown.
Planning staff described farmers‑market language drafted with the health department and Councilor Hall‑Harper’s input. The code change defines a farmers market, requires registration with the Department of Agriculture, and sets a minimum of six vendors for a permanent market. The proposal treats farmers markets as a principal use in mixed‑use, commercial and industrial districts and as an accessory use where appropriate. Planning staff said parking was established at 0.85 spaces per 1,000 square feet of permanent outdoor stalls and that permanent structures could be located inside buildings.
Councilors pressed staff on how the Board of Adjustment (BOA) could grant special exceptions to allow markets in residential‑zoned areas. Councilor Lakin and others worried the BOA’s authority could permit a market to locate in a residential neighborhood if setback and parking variances were granted; planning staff replied that standard setback and parking rules would still apply and that it would be unlikely for a single‑lot residential parcel to meet requirements for a permanent market. Committee members discussed removing R‑zoned districts from eligibility (the committee suggested striking R zones from the proposal) while retaining allowances for higher‑density mixed‑use and AGR parcels where a use case is demonstrated.
On rooftop signage, staff said the ordinance would allow one roof sign per business/address and count that sign against an existing lot sign budget; the change would expand roof signs beyond the narrow Route 66/downtown entertainment overlay to most of the Central Business District. A public commenter at the planning hearing had raised concerns about historic building integrity; staff noted that wall signs are already allowed on some historic buildings and said structural review had been part of staff consultation.
Why this matters: the changes clarify how permanent farmers markets are regulated and set parking/operational standards developers and community groups must meet; rooftop sign changes formalize practices that have routinely been approved by the BOA and could change downtown signage patterns.
Next steps: staff said language could be refined before the ordinance is advanced to the City Council; the committee left open edits (members discussed removing R zone coverage and refining BOA limits) and indicated the ordinance will return for formal introduction and public hearing later.
