Planning commissioners approved measures this week to address concerns from neighbors of a proposed north Tulsa industrial park.
Vision Tulsa will provide $10 million toward the development of the Peoria-Mohawk employment center. Julian Wilson is among residents worried about noise, traffic and what exactly will be built on the 112-acre site.
"I didn't buy that property to come out and see buildings and such," Wilson said. "I bought the property because of the wooded area, the homes and the community."
Commissioners added staff-recommended amendments to the plans, calling for a berm to be built as a noise buffer and for entrances on Mohawk Boulevard to be moved closer to Lewis and Peoria avenues to lessen truck traffic on the road.
City Planner Theron Warlick addressed concerned residents at the planning commission meeting.
"We are not 100 percent sure that this is going to keep your life exactly the same as it is today, but we absolutely heard you and do understand what you're saying when you say, 'You've got to be careful. There's going to be a factory next door,'" Warlick said.
Information provided during the Vision Tulsa campaign estimated the industrial park would attract 1,000 jobs. George Kaiser Family Foundation’s Josh Miller said the development may not take up the entire site, which would leave a natural buffer zone.
"To say that someone would take up all 112 acres — I mean, Macy's, with 2,000 employees, only takes up 70," Miller said. "This was just what was developable out of the land that was acquired."
GKFF backs the project. The city council must approve the planning commission's amendments.
