Zoning presents its own set of challenges in urban planning, and Karl Fritschen, professional urban planner and landscape architect for over 20 years, has dealt with numerous zoning challenges in both the public and private sector. In his current job as Chief Urban and Long Range Planner for Owasso, OK, Karl recently worked on a difficult zoning dilemma for a mini storage facility. Mini storage facilities were prohibited, and Karl drafted and prepared 3 dimensional drawings to illustrate for reluctant Council members that the finished structure is actually hidden from the main view corridor of the highway.
Karl Fritschen also used his rapport with his client to make some crucial changes to his design to satisfy the concerns of Council members. Karl developed an overlay district text amendment to the zoning code and landscape ordinance.
Questions were raised as to whether the amendment would scare off development, or hurt Owasso’s reputation. Karl Fritschen assured Council members that it would, in fact, raise property values and attract investment.
The last two years have affirmed his belief, as Owasso made Oklahoma’s top ten list of communities to live in, with rising property values. Permit applications have risen to levels not seen in 12 years. Karl feels both the ordinances raised the bar for design standards and protect those who have made significant investments in the community. The landscape ordinance, in particular, offers protection to residential area property values. “…so far, much of my work is paying off in Owasso,” says Karl.
Karl Fritschen also used his rapport with his client to make some crucial changes to his design to satisfy the concerns of Council members. Karl developed an overlay district text amendment to the zoning code and landscape ordinance.
Questions were raised as to whether the amendment would scare off development, or hurt Owasso’s reputation. Karl Fritschen assured Council members that it would, in fact, raise property values and attract investment.
The last two years have affirmed his belief, as Owasso made Oklahoma’s top ten list of communities to live in, with rising property values. Permit applications have risen to levels not seen in 12 years. Karl feels both the ordinances raised the bar for design standards and protect those who have made significant investments in the community. The landscape ordinance, in particular, offers protection to residential area property values. “…so far, much of my work is paying off in Owasso,” says Karl.