Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Tulsa City Council held a public hearing on proposed charter amendments, with nine speakers advocating for an Office of Independent Monitor for police oversight, citing over $41 million in misconduct settlements in 2025. The council approved rezoning applications Z7843 and PUD 159C for property at 71st Street and South Union Avenue from CSRM-1 and RS-3 to CS. The council also initiated zoning amendments for a Route 66 property in District 2 and a reevaluation of data center zoning regulations.
Key Decisions (8)
Rezoning at 71st Street and South Union Avenue (Z7843)
Rezoning from CSRM-1 and RS-3 to CS for property located on the Northwest Corner of 71st Street and South Union Avenue. Community meetings were held with the developer prior to approval.
PUD 159C at 71st Street and South Union Avenue
Abandoning PUD 159A and partially abandoning PUD 159 for property located on the Northwest Corner of West 71st Street and South Union Avenue.
Rezoning Ordinance Z7840 - East 31st Street and South 193rd East Avenue
Second reading approval of rezoning from AG to RD and RS-5 with an optional development plan for property located on the Northwest corner of East 31st Street and South 193rd East Avenue.
TMUA Fourth Amendment to Declaration of Trust
Ordinance approving the Fourth Amendment to the declaration of trust of the Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority, accepting beneficial interest as provided in the declaration of trust.
City Council Initiation of Zoning Map Amendment for Route 66 Property
City council initiated a zoning map amendment to commercial high for a city-owned parcel along Route 66 in City Council District 2 to establish a gift shop for Route 66 centennial tourism.
City Council Initiation of Data Center Zoning Reevaluation
City council initiated zoning reevaluation and potential amendments regarding data centers, following community concerns about Meta's proposed second data center expansion.
MLK Parade Fee Waiver
Approved waiver of fees for labor costs of $12,080.25 incurred by the 47th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade held on January 19, 2026.
Fair Oaks Tax Increment District Items
Approved items 4B through 4N including establishment of Fair Oaks Tax Increment District oversight committee related to Meta data center development.
Zoning Changes (4)
Northwest Corner of 71st Street and South Union Avenue
Not specified
Northwest Corner of West 71st Street and South Union Avenue
Not specified
Northwest corner of East 31st Street and South 193rd East Avenue
Not specified
Fair Oaks area, East Tulsa
Meta
Development Activity (7)
Meta Data Center Expansion (Project Anthem Phase 2)
Meta seeking to rezone additional 375 acres from agriculture to light industry for second data center campus. Original data center projected to use up to 1 billion gallons of water when fully operational.
Public Safety Center
Planning continues with value engineering. Project exceeds voter-approved funding, requiring phased approach. Uniform Division East relocation timing is a concern. Ribbon cutting scheduled for Case Family Safety Center on February 15, 2026.
Gilcrease Museum Renovation
Museum art collection moving back mid-February 2026, taking six months to complete. Educational exhibits being coordinated with Gilcrease Museum Road expansion. Museum projected to reopen early 2027.
Dreamkeepers Park (formerly Veterans Park)
Traffic count study completed September 2025 to determine effects of closing one block of Main Street. Results still pending despite promises in December and January.
South Tulsa Zinc Lake Amenities Project
Project includes low water dam, pedestrian bridge, Eastbank Park, boat dock improvements, Vinsal Creek Trail connections, bank stabilization, and outfall protection. Cost estimates and funding timeline requested.
Woodward Park Improvements
90-inch storm pipeline installed. Pond waterproofing liners completed to stop leaks. Dewatering of retaining wall foundations at West Ponds completed.
Route 66 Main Street Gift Shop
Zoning map amendment initiated to change city-owned parcel from residential to commercial high to establish gift shop for Route 66 centennial tourism.
Market Signals (5)
Infrastructure
Meta's proposed second data center in Fair Oaks would significantly increase water demand beyond the 1 billion gallons projected for the first facility, raising concerns about utility capacity and rate increases.
Sentiment
Mayor Nichols has publicly stated he does not want to roll out the welcome mat for new data centers, signaling potential resistance to hyperscale data center expansion in Tulsa.
Commercial Demand
Route 66 centennial tourism is driving commercial development interest, with the city initiating zoning changes to establish retail/gift shop uses along the historic corridor.
Infrastructure
Multiple city infrastructure projects including Gilcrease Museum, Public Safety Center, and park improvements are progressing but facing funding constraints requiring phased approaches.
Housing Demand
Rezoning approvals at 71st and Union (to CS) and 31st and 193rd East Avenue (AG to RD/RS-5) indicate continued residential and commercial development pressure in suburban Tulsa.