Commission approves rezoning, approves land-use change for West Apache mixed-use plan despite neighbor objections

The Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission on June 4 recommended approval of Z-7817, rezoning a parcel at the southeast corner of West Apache Street and the L.L. Tisdale Parkway from RM-1 to MX2-V-55, and separately approved CPA-118 to change the parcel’s designation from Neighborhood to Multiple Use.

Applicant William Tisdale told commissioners the project aims to provide services and housing for the area and described proposed elements including an urgent care supported by a major hospital, a no-contact grocery operation and a mix of townhomes and multifamily housing. He said a primary goal was to serve neighborhood needs and limit the highest-density development possible under existing RM-1 zoning. “We are finalizing plans for a no contact grocery store where groceries are bought to your car or delivered to your house,” Tisdale said. The architect said the development has been shifted westward on the site to preserve tree canopy where possible.

Several nearby residents spoke in opposition, citing concerns about intensified commercial uses, increased noise and traffic, and potential impacts on neighborhood character and property values. Casey Clour said the family moved to the area for a quiet childhood for their child and worried the change would encroach on that. Commissioner Hood expressed concern about tree canopy loss and mitigation; the applicant’s architect described added vegetative screening and landscaping in response. The commission voted to recommend approval of the rezoning (motion by Bulmash, second by Zalk; vote 9-1-0, Nay: Hood) and to approve the CPA-118 land-use amendment (motion by Turner-Addison, second by Rosene Robinson; vote 9-1-0, Nay: Hood).