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Special Use

Explanation of Procedures for SPECIAL USE

If you desire to make application for a Special Use, the procedure is as follows:

  1. Check with the Planning Department to see what your present zoning is, in order to determine whether your proposed Special Use is allowed in that zoning district. The Planning Department Staff will be happy to help you with this.
  2. The Norman Zoning Ordinance requires applicants for every Special Use to submit with their application a list of the names and addresses of all property owners of record within three hundred (300) feet of their request, exclusive of streets and alleys which are less than three hundred (300) feet in width. That radius should be increased in one hundred (100) foot increments until fifteen (15) separate ownerships are notified, or 1,000 feet, whichever comes first. This list must be certified as current and accurate by a registered professional engineer, an attorney, a bonded abstractor, or a registered land surveyor. This information should be submitted on the attached forms. A map delineating the three hundred (300) foot notice area will be furnished by the Planning Department to be used to complete the ownership list. A copy of the deed must be submitted in order for Staff to prepare the map. The Norman Zoning Ordinance also requires that the total land area for each request and/or subdivision thereof must be computed and certified by a registered engineer, architect, or qualified surveyor and submitted with the application. This statement may be in the form of a letter attesting to the square feet or acres contained in the request.
  3. In addition to the completed application, a statement describing the nature and operating characteristics of the proposed Special Use is required. For uses potentially generating high volumes of vehicular traffic, the Planning Director may require specific information relative to the anticipated peak loads and peak use periods, the ability of the use to meet performance standards, or substantiating the adequacy of proposed parking, loading, and circulation facilities.
  4. A complete site plan, drawn to scale, showing the location and dimensions of boundary lines with distances and bearings, easements, required yards and setbacks, and all existing and proposed buildings.
  5. In order to properly evaluate the proposed Special Use, the Planning Director may require the following additional information:
    1. Location and intended use of existing and proposed buildings on the site, and the approximate location of existing buildings on abutting sites within 50 feet.
    2. Preliminary building elevations for all new or renovated structures, indicating height, bulk, and general appearance.
    3. Preliminary improvement plans for any alteration of existing water courses or drainage features, proposed streets and alleys, and the location of the 100 year floodplain.
    4. The location of existing and proposed site improvements including parking and loading areas, pedestrian and vehicular access, landscaped areas, utility or service areas, fencing and screening, signs, and lighting.
    5. The number of existing and proposed off-street parking and loading spaces.
    6. The relationship of the site and the proposed use to surrounding uses, including pedestrian and vehicular circulation, current use of nearby parcels, and any proposed off-site improvements to be made.
  6. Your application, along with the filing fee of $300.00, must be filed at the Planning Department, 201-A West Gray, before 1:30 p.m., Monday, 31 days prior to the next Planning Commission meeting.
  7. After your application and required materials are filed, legal notice of the request will be published in the NORMAN TRANSCRIPT, in a form as required by State law. The Planning Department staff will prepare the legal notice for your application; however, you will be responsible for picking it up and submitting it to the NORMAN TRANSCRIPT. You are responsible for the cost of publication. Also that this time, every property owner within three hundred (300) feet of the exterior boundaries of your property (excluding streets and alleys less than three hundred (300) feet in width) will be notified by letter from the Planning Department of your request. These owners, and any other citizen, may protest if they so desire.
  8. The Planning Staff will research and analyze your request and prepare a staff report with recommendation, which will be mailed to each Planning Commission member. These staff reports will also be mailed to each applicant or to his representative.
  9. At the next scheduled Planning Commission meeting (the second Thursday of each month), your request will be considered at a public hearing. You will be sent notice of this meeting and you or your representative must be present. The Planning Staff will introduce your request, and you and any interested citizens will have the opportunity to speak to the Commission concerning your request.
  10. At the conclusion of this public hearing the Planning Commission, by majority vote, will recommend that the ordinance to accomplish your requested Special Use either be approved or denied. The Planning Commission may recommend that the City Council establish conditions of approval. Conditions may include requirements for special yards; open spaces; buffers; fences; walls and screening; requirements for installation and maintenance of landscaping and erosion control measures; requirements for street improvements and dedications regulation of vehicular ingress and egress, and traffic circulation; regulation of signs; regulations of hours or other characteristics of operation; and such other conditions as may be necessary to insure compatibility with surrounding uses, and preservation of the public health, safety and welfare. This recommendation, along with your application and Special Use ordinance, will be transmitted to the City Council. (The City Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.)
  11. After final Planning Commission action, your request will be forwarded to the City Council for First Reading approximately three (3) weeks later. Your attendance at this meeting is optional.
  12. At the following meeting (two weeks later), the City Council will vote either to adopt or reject the proposed Special Use ordinance. You or your representative must be present at this meeting. At that time the City Council will have reviewed the Planning Commission minutes and recommendation. If the ordinance is approved by the City Council, it will become effective thirty (30) days from the date of its approval.


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