The Norman Transcript
By Carol Cole

Transcript Staff Writer

The Norman Planning Commission voted Thursday to recommend rezoning to permit a local Chevrolet dealership to move from West Main Street to the southwest corner of Lindsey Street and Interstate 35.

Mark Heitz Chevrolet has purchased about 10 acres between 28th Avenue SW and the right-of-way on Interstate 35, south of West Lindsey Street.

Heitz will expand the dealership, with a request from General Motors Corporation to have a larger inventory on the lot. The current Main Street site is about 6 acres, with the West Lindsey Street site about 10 acres. Rezoning of the property would be from R-1 or single family dwelling district to C-2, general commercial district.

Planning commissioners also voted to recommend public rights-of-way be closed on Briggs Street between 28th Avenue SW and Interstate 35. The street is surrounded by land owned by the dealership.

"It's a street to nowhere," said Tom McCaleb of Spears and McCaleb, engineer for the applicant.

McCaleb said the applicant is going to try to save some of the big trees on the site.

"We are going to try to exceed the landscaping ordinance," McCaleb said.

According to notes from predevelopment discussions, the dealership has been in an ongoing conversation with owners of Turtle Creek Mobile Home Park west of 28th Avenue SW, but the owner is unwilling to sell. However, about 80 percent of the Turtle Creek site is in the floodplain and would likely not be developable.

Consideration of a recommendation to rezone two residential lots at 316 and 322 E. Daws Street for special use as additional parking for Van's Pig Stand was postponed for one month at the request of the applicant.

Planning commissioners also voted to recommend:

An ordinance establishing a minimum width of driveways in residential areas, with exemptions for historic districts.

A preliminary plat for Frost Creek LLC for 157 acres at the northwest corner of the intersection of East Robinson Street and 36th Avenue NE.

Rezoning for Frost Creek LLC from A-2 or rural agricultural to PUD, planned unit development.

Closure of a portion of a utility easement at 1904 Hallbrook Drive.

A final plat for Park Place Addition, Section 6, one-half mile east of 12th Avenue NE, on the south side of Rock Creek Road.

A final plat for Norman Regional Hospital Park West Addition, Section 2, at the southeast corner of the intersection of Tecumseh Road and 36th Avenue NW.

A final plat for Norman Regional Hospital Foundation Addition, Section 1 one-half mile north of Cedar Lane Road, on the east side of 12th Avenue SE.

A final plat for Childress Addition at 17901 SH 9 for a Sonic Drive-In restaurant.

All items will go to the city council for final approval.

Carol Cole 366-3538 ccole@normantranscript.com