Norman council will consider allowing crematoriums

The council meets at 6:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building's council chambers, 201 W Gray St.

Planning Director Susan Connors said Norman's current ordinances do not specifically permit crematoriums. An ordinance addressing their operation was developed after the city received a number of inquiries about them, she said.

The proposed ordinance would allow crematoriums as a special use in an agriculture zoning district and in some commercially zoned districts. The ordinance would make crematoriums a permitted use in industrial districts.

In other business, the council will consider a change in land use and rezoning request for about 13 acres at 36th Avenue NW and W Tecumseh Road.

OSOI Tecumseh Development and NE Development are asking to change a commercial land use and zoning designation to medium density residential to allow for construction of a 235-unit, multifamily apartment complex.

Residents in an adjacent single-family neighborhood are opposed to the project, citing concerns that include increased crime, traffic, overcrowding of schools and the possibility of Section 8 housing being allowed in the development. Section 8 is a federal housing assistance program.