Midtown Coalition City Council 2000 Questionnaire
District 4 candidates

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The responses are presented below as provided by the candidates. Spelling, punctuation, and grammar have not been altered, but the text has been reformatted for the World Wide Web. A blank response indicates that the candidate has yet to reply to the questionnaire.
 
Name Party Address Phone E-mail
Anna Falling Republican 1312 S. Quaker Ave. 582-3369 falltree@aol.com
Brad Gordon Democrat 1231 1/2 S. Owasso Ave. 582-3369
Bruce Niemi Democrat 1236 S. Quebec Ave.
Gary Watts Democrat 1564 S. Gillette Ave. 743-1410, 712-9942 wattsgl@aol.com, watts4council@aol.com

1. If elected, will you support an ordinance establishing a procedure for creating neighborhood plans and incorporating them into the zoning code?

Falling: Yes.  This is the top priority of my next term.  I have traveled to 6 cities over the past 2 years to study how this can be done effectively.  It is necessary to have these plans in place to prevent the addition of projects that are not conducive to a neighborhood.

Gordon:

Niemi:

Watts: As a city councilor I initiated and supported the funding for the Kendall-Whittier, 11th Street Corridor, and Charles Page Corridor Plans that included neighborhood plans for the Kendall-Whittier, Owen Park, Tracy Park and Central Park neighborhoods.  These plans have guided zoning, redevelopment and capital improvements decisions by the City since their adoptions.  I also supported funding for plans in the Springdale, 61st and Peoria and West Tulsa areas.  I continue to believe that small area/neighborhood plans are the best way to plan for neighborhood reinvestment, infrastructure needs and infill zoning decisions.

2. Will you support funding for city or INCOG planning staff to assist in the development of neighborhood plans?

Falling: Yes and I will also be working alongside neighborhood associations to raise matching funds from the private sector to double our efforts.

Gordon:

Niemi:

Watts: Yes, as I have in the past several times.

3. Will you support the down-zoning of traditional neighborhood commercial areas, such as Cherry Street, from commercial high-intensity (CH) to a new "neighborhood commercial" category consistent with existing development?

Falling: Yes – I have been encouraging TMAPC to launch a pilot study to test this “neighborhood commercial” concept in District 4.

Gordon:

Niemi:

Watts: As a city councilor I initiated the development and sponsored the Council adoption of the Adult Entertainment Ordinance that resulted in "downzoning" commercial areas for the first time under the City's current zoning code. The Adult Entertainment Ordinance established a new zoning category for bars, clubs, adult bookstores and other "adult entertainment" establishments.  Implementation of this downzoning ordinance resulted in several nuisance establishments that were in midtown neighborhoods to be closed down.  The most visible example is at 15th and Gary where what was the Full Force Bar (site of two homicides around 1990) is now Merritt's Bakery.  I will certainly support other downzoning initiatives as may be appropriate.  Having fought several zoning battles involving the inappropriate CH zoning adjacent to neighborhoods I am interested in the "neighborhood commercial" concept.

4. Will you support the restoration of residential zoning to residential areas that were rezoned for commercial, office, and industrial uses?

Falling: Yes, if they are being used as residential areas. If they are truly areas of industrial and commercial uses and have fully transitioned to that status then it is not necessary to change back to residential zoning.

Gordon:

Niemi:

Watts: As a city councilor I initiated the TMAPC study of several single family neighborhoods that had been blanket rezoned "multi family" in the 1960s which resulted in TMAPC and City Council action to rezone several "single family" again.  The neighborhood between 6th and 3rd, west of Lewis is an example. This was the first time under the City's current zoning code that multi family zoning has been blanket downzoned to single family.  I will certainly support restoration of residential zoning to areas that have remained residential in character.

5. Will you support a temporary hold on zoning changes which increase commercial encroachment into residential areas, in order to encourage speedy adoption of these reforms and to protect neighborhoods until the reforms are in place?

Falling:  Yes – if they were in areas that effect a residential area.  If they are not in a residential area and don’t have an effect on residents then it would not be necessary to put a hold on this type of zoning change.

Gordon:

Niemi:

Watts: I would consider this as a last resort only after much discussion and study open to all who may be affected.

6. What other reforms, if any, would you make in zoning, land use planning, urban renewal, or related policy areas?

Falling:  During this City Council election period, Tulsans will be able to choose between my “neighbors planning neighborhoods” concept or the “urban renewal” concept that has plagued District 4 for years before my term in office.
The urban renewal method, which is what the former District 4 Councilor utilized in the Kendall Whittier area, is proving to be unnecessary.  We all recall how upset the Kendall Whittier citizens were when the city’s goals were being pushed on them without their consent.  I believe citizens understand the need to make tough decisions and would do so if they were included in the process.  Planning and taking action without including citizens in the process is divisive and ultimately increases the cost of any project.

Gordon:

Niemi:

Watts: The issues identified above are appropriate to pursue as priorities.  I am also very interested in moving forward with the recommendations of the Infill Development Task Force.  I continue to believe that in the long run our neighborhoods are strengthened by having more families become homeowners.  Therefore I would resume my work as a councilor providing leadership to Home Ownership Tulsa and other homeownership initiatives.

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