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Norman council approves first reading for Reed Street shelter rezoning despite Ward 5 concerns
Summary
On first reading the Norman City Council approved ordinance 0-2526-68 to rezone property at Reed Avenue and Eufaula Street for a proposed permanent shelter; the measure passed 7–1 with Council member Kirby opposing over proximity to a school and questions about registered offenders. A full public hearing is scheduled in two weeks.
The Norman City Council on July 14 approved, on first reading, ordinance 0-2526-68 to adopt a zoning designation for property at Reed Avenue and Eufaula Street, a step that would allow the city’s planned permanent shelter project to proceed to a public hearing.
Mayor Homan opened the item as a first reading and described the procedural steps. Council member Kirby said she could not support even moving the item forward as part of the consent process because of unresolved questions from constituents in Ward 5 about registered offenders and the shelter’s proximity to a school; she requested the item be removed from consent and voted separately. “I can’t vote to be that close to a school until I get that offender question answered,” Kirby said.
City staff and the mayor emphasized tonight’s vote authorizes only the public hearing: the ordinance’s first reading passed 7–1, with Kirby casting the lone no vote. Mayor Homan said the council will hold a full public hearing in two weeks where the public will be able to comment and the council may approve, postpone or reject the rezoning.
Why it matters: If the rezoning clears second reading after the public hearing, the city will clear a major procedural step toward establishing a permanent shelter at the Reed Avenue site. Opponents in Ward 5 have pressed the council for assurances about safety, code compliance and how the shelter will screen or manage occupants; proponents say the facility is needed and operational details will be determined by operators.
What’s next: The council scheduled a public hearing in two weeks; staff said outstanding questions raised by council members would be answered before that meeting.
