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Lawton council approves TIF amendment process, short‑term rental rezoning, boards' term changes, ‘No Cart November,’ signs and two litigation actions
Summary
Council authorized a review of proposed downtown TIF amendments, approved a rezoning for a short‑term rental site, adopted several ordinances aligning advisory board terms, approved a 'deaf child' sign and a citywide 'No Cart November' collection, and authorized a $71,000 settlement and PFOS fact‑sheet actions following executive session.
At its Oct. 25 meeting the Lawton City Council approved a set of business and staff items including a staff-initiated review of a proposed major amendment to the downtown Economic Development Project Plan and actions on several smaller but consequential items.
TIF and downtown plan: Staff described a proposed third amended downtown project plan that would update budgets, move two vacant lots (including a grocery-site lot) out of the existing TIF2 and expand the project-area spending eligibility to include Elmer Thomas Park and nearby schools. Council voted to begin the review and to form a review committee that will recommend next steps.
Zoning and short‑term rentals: Council approved an ordinance to rezone 1420 NW 67th Street from C‑1 to C‑4 for a proposed short‑term rental complex and associated amenities after no speakers opposed the change at the public hearing; the planning commission had previously recommended approval.
Signs and public-safety requests: The council voted 5–1 to approve installation of a 'deaf child' warning sign at 816 NW 49th Street despite staff counsel that such specialized signs may not improve safety. Council members who voted in favor cited constituent safety concerns.
Boards and commissions: A package of ordinances aligning term lengths for various advisory boards and commissions (Capital Improvements Program Advisory Committee, Planning Commission, Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women, Parks and Recreation Commission, Veterans Affairs Committee) with nominating officials passed unanimously.
No Cart November: Council approved a resolution designating a citywide 'No Cart November' collection window, with updated area dates and procedures for retrieving and storing reclaimed shopping carts; staff said a shopping-cart ordinance will be brought to a future meeting after legal review.
Executive session and litigation actions: After an executive session on pending litigation council authorized a settlement agreement in the amount of $71,000 and directed staff on how to record the judgment. Council also approved and authorized the acting city attorney to execute an individual plaintiff property-damage fact sheet related to multi-district PFOS contamination litigation for the Lawton Municipal Airport.
Quotes
"It provides 10% directly to STEM for any new TIF districts activated," a staff presenter said of a proposed policy change in the downtown project plan.
"If it was denied, then yes, that would be on their own," a staff member said when explaining the limited remedies available to families seeking special street signs.
Ending
The council advanced long-range downtown planning work, approved a small-package of code and administrative ordinances, and took final action on two litigation-related items in executive session. Staff will follow up with the review committee for the TIF amendment, draft the shopping-cart ordinance, and coordinate paperwork for the approved settlement and PFOS fact sheet.
