Oklahoma City council delays controversial accessory-dwelling-unit ordinance after hour-long public debate

Oklahoma City — The City Council on May 6 deferred consideration of a proposed ordinance to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in parts of the city's central neighborhoods after more than an hour of public testimony and council debate.

The council voted unanimously to continue the item for two weeks to the May 20 meeting to allow additional review of a narrow amendment proposed by neighborhood representatives and to collect legal and lending guidance on whether the amendment would create unintended financing or title restrictions.

Supporters said ADUs are a practical, low-impact option to add housing and help families care for older relatives or provide rental income. Gary Jones, government affairs director for the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Association of Realtors, told the council his organization supports a two‑week delay so experts can review suggested language. "For us, two more weeks is something that we're willing to do for our fellow residents," Jones said. Vanessa Morrison, an urban planner who led Northeast OKC community engagement, told the council that residents in that area explicitly supported ADUs as a way to "restore housing opportunity through smaller units." Lee Matthews, a builder of small…