parking located in the rear.” One by one, each of the City Councilors expressed their excitement with the plan to revitalize the area. “I was very impressed with the details, and I don’t think you’ve left anything out,” Councilor Lisa Ford said. Vice-Mayor Christie Gillespie commented as to how many people were involved in creating this new zoning document. “I feel like a lot of people have had their fingers on this document,” she said. “I am so proud of this committee and the consultants that worked so hard.” Community Development Director Larry Curtis thanked his staff for their diligence on the project. He said the document’s detail provides clear guidelines for renovations and how to bring the facilities up to code. Matt Griffiths, Civic Engagement current and future residents Chair of the Broken Arrow Young • Establish a framework through zoning to guide future development Professionals, also favored the proposal. “Broken Arrow Young Professionals Kirkpatrick said the consultants and have reviewed and support the New the committee had met individually Orleans Square Overlay District and with each of the business owners in the we believe many residents will benefit area to discuss their goals, the history greatly from it,” Griffiths said. of ownership, and what they hoped for He said the Overlay District provides going forward. several items that have been proven to He said they learned the property attract and retain young professionals in owners were seeing very little interest in the big box spaces on those four corners. other communities. Griffiths highlighted the benefits of Several businesses were doing smaller the plan that will specifically improve footprint retail businesses within those the way of life for people ages 18-40, spaces. And some were thinking about such as the modern housing options more significant developments. such as townhouses, duplexes, and flats. “And that gave us confidence it was “And, for the growing number of time to think about lane use in some people that are choosing not to drive a of these spaces,” Kirkpatrick said. “One car, enhanced amenities such as exercise of the owners said, ‘You must increase surrounding residential density to make studios, shared workspaces, restaurants, and retail services would all be in these retail spaces more valuable.” walking distance,” Griffiths said. “It These owners realized that the tie would draw young professionals to what to retail had moved to other areas of could become the next big mini-center Broken Arrow and that it was not the in New Orleans Square.” same intersection that it once was. “In that respect, we needed to think more broadly about ways to implement mixed uses here and make the area City of Broken Arrow more walkable,” he said. “That led us 220 S. FIRST STREET | BROKEN ARROW, OK to establish a walkable internal street (918) 251-5311 | WWW.BROKENARROWOK.GOV network with new open spaces and @CITYOFBA | @CITYOFBA
City Council Approves New Plan to Transform New Orleans Square BY LESA JONES
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he City Council unanimously approved a new Overlay District that reimagines New Orleans Square at the meeting on Feb. 15. This new urban design framework comes after more than two years of consultations and study with area property owners, two consulting firms, City staff, and a seven-person New Orleans Square Advisory Committee. The new zoning document will guide the area’s future growth surrounding the intersection of West New Orleans Street and South Elm Place. Its goal is to encourage redevelopment in and around the existing shopping centers in the area and encourage growth in underdeveloped and underutilized land. It is also intended to foster new residential and mixed-use development. Urban planners ADG and Code Studio each served as consultants on the project. The Director of Urban Planning for ADG, A.J. Kirkpatrick spoke to the Council about the project’s goals with the new zoning, which include: • Improving owners’ ability to redevelop • Increase opportunity for non-auto trips to and within the district • Broaden housing options for
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VALUE NEWS BROKEN ARROW MARCH 2022 WWW.VALUENEWS.COM
