Smart Growth

As Maple Ridge homeowners, you need to be aware of a recent zoning ruling issued by the Board of Adjustment (BOA), which may affect the long-term redevelopment of our neighborhood. At issue is the proposed construction of a home on an undersized lot located in the middle of the block on Hazel Boulevard between Cincinnati and Woodward.

A building permit has been issued and the BOA has ruled in favor of the developer. The Maple Ridge Board is concerned about the precedence this ruling may have on future development, including variances for building homes which are not in scale, character, or architecturally compatible, on undersized lots throughout our neighborhood.

Your Board has formed a subcommittee to study this problem and develop solutions to address this situation, which are compatible with the needs of both developers and the neighborhood. If you are interested in participating in this project, please Paul Gilling (295-5979, email: paul@gillingpost.com)

Zoning and Historic Preservation

The city of Tulsa has categorized residential districts according to their lot size (RS1 - RS4) and has established guidelines to control building throughout the city. There are standards for setbacks, easements, size of accessory structures, grass to concrete ratio, fence and wall height, and much, much more. These zoning codes have been in place since 1970 and are designed to uphold the historic character of neighborhoods like Maple Ridge.

The Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission (TMAPC) and the Board of Adjustments (BOA) schedule hearings at which property owners, builders, and developers seek variances on existing neighborhood zoning codes and restrictions. These hearings give people in opposition to these plans an opportunity to protest. Some may try to circumvent the TMAPC and the BOA and obtain building permits through other routes. Once construction has begun, it can be very difficult to reverse the building permit.

The ambience we have in Maple Ridge can easily be destroyed by violations of existing codes and restrictions. In order for existing zoning to really work for us as an historic district, everyone must be willing to take the time to check on projects, find out what your zoning allows, and go to hearings.

Most of your questions can be answered by calling-all you need is the property address in question. Our hard working city employees are only human and cannot be expected to flawlessly uphold this vast and often ambiguous city code system.

Zoning Codes - Residential:
RS1- 100' Frontage
RS2 - 75' Frontage
RS3 - 60' Frontage
RS4 - 50 ' Frontage

Helpful Numbers
County Assessor's Office (for legal descriptions): 596-5166
INCOG (for zoning codes): 584-7526
Building permits: 596-2100

Dedicated Turn Lanes at 21st/Peoria and 15th/Peoria

Traffic continues to cut through the neighborhood due to restricted left hand turns at these two intersections. Much of this traffic drives through the neighborhood at unsafe speeds, endangering anyone in their path. Neighborhood streets were not meant to be major access routes - yet this is what has happened in Maple Ridge.

Please contact your Councilman and/or neighboorhood board member to express your opinions on these or any other matters of importance to the Maple Ridge Neighborhood.