Norman City Council postpones OTA decision

NORMAN, Okla. ( KFOR ) — The Norman City Council made the decision Tuesday to postpone a resolution to partner with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority on building new turnpikes in Norman.

It was a mixed reaction within the large crowd as some were happy to see the council give the decision more thought, with others worried they are only delaying the decision that they already made in their minds.

The Access Oklahoma Plan presented to the Norman City Council calls for several new turnpikes to be built along Norman’s north and east sides.

It could require OTA to demolish upwards of 600 homes in order to build the turnpikes.

Many residents have been begging the council to reject the offer like they have in years past, but they will have to wait another two weeks to find out after the council chose to postpone the agenda item.

“There’s lots to be discussed on this item, and I think it’s appropriate to send it back to another study session,” said Matthew Peacock, Norman City Council Member Ward 2.

“We will continue to edit, modify, make suggestions and requests, and that our resolution language has wording like the city rejects these intrusive, destructive highways like that’s the voice of the people that’s missing from this conversation,” Tassie Hirschfeld, Board Member of Pike Off OTA said.

The Norman City Council will discuss the plan in more study sessions until its August 27 city council meeting.

A decision will be made at that meeting because OTA has to be notified of a decision by September 2.

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