We at PreserveMidtown think PlaniTulsa is the most important development plan for the city of Tulsa.
We enthusiastically encourage everyone to attend this meeing to find out what is in store for Tulsa in the next 30 years. These plans will affect all residents in Tulsa including downtown, midtown neighborhoods, north Tulsa, south Tulsa and west Tulsa. This is our plan and we need to make sure it is what we want and then push ahead to make sure it guides all future development.
Energy tax credits are now available for home improvements that increase energy efficiency of your home. This includes installing new windows, attic insulation, energy efficient applicances, hot water heaters and other improvements. The tax credit is for improvements made by December 31, 2009, and the homeowner can claim a credit of 30% of the cost of the improvements up to a maximum credit of $1500 (for $5000 in improvements). The credit does not cover labor expenses to install the new windows or appliances, and there are specific guidelines that must be followed to claim the credit. Please consult the IRS guidelines for further clarification.
The Mayor’s Land Use Task Force will meet on Monday September 21st, at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall, Room 411.
PreserveMidtown presented a video and power point presentation to this Task Force last spring regarding infill problems including stormwater run-off issues. One of the points we made was that this current task force is only the latest of many reports regarding the same issues. This time, we want to ensure that the recommendations are acted on. The previous reports just sat on the shelf with no action. This is an accountability issue.
Go to http://www.preservemidtown.com/category/teardown-infill-issues/ to view the power point and the video presentations.
The agenda will include presentations from:
Each department/agency will provide a progress report on its activities, as they relate to the Task Force recommendations of June 16th. The public is welcome to attend, but the Task Force will not be taking public comment at this meeting.
Starting Monday, the Task Force will meet every three months, on the third Monday, to evaluate progress on the recommendations. Special meetings might be called between regular meetings, as the need arises.
We encourage all interested parties to attend this meeting and keep up-to-date on all progress with implementing systemic changes identified in the current report. Tulsa residents must be the “watch-dogs” if we truly want changes made to the land use system.
An internet article by newly appointed Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission member, Bill Leighty was brought to the attention of PreserveMidtown. Mr. Leighty also been appointed by our mayor to serve on her new Task Force. Mayor Taylor was quoted in a recent Tulsa World article, ” What matters is how we’re communicating with and educating our citizens, and we can solve that immediately…”
The issues this new Task Force will be addressing concern development of commercial and multi-family encroachment on residential neighborhoods. The Tulsa Mental Health facility at 10 North Yale and the Sonoma Grande project at 81st and Mingo are both examples of this commuication problem and are both represented on the task force.
What is not represented on the Task Force is a spokesperson for the issues affecting residential development in midtown neighborhoods. What happens when a neighbor’s new house overshadows your home? Or what happens when a new home creates a stormwater run-off problem that devalues your property? How are you as a resident of Tulsa supposed to address a zoning change when you can’t attend the meeting? Who is protecting your property values.
If you would like to read why it is important that resident property owners have their voice on the tMayor’s Task Force, please go to this link for Bill Leighty’s views, New Construction in Midtown Tulsa