Council postponed by two months voting on a controversial proposal by popular barbecue restaurant Van’s Pig Stand to rezone 316 and 322 E. Daws to make way for expansion of the restaurant and increased parking space.

Jerry’s LLC requested an amendment of the Norman 2025 Land Use and Transportation Plan from low-density residential to commercial designation for the .32-acre tract. The property is currently zoned R-3 or multi-family dwelling district and also would be rezoned to special use for off-street parking.

Neighbors have protested that commercial properties keep eating away at residential neighborhoods, especially in the core Norman areas of Original Townsite and Silk Stockings. Several homes have been torn down near Norman Regional Hospital, Hiland Dairy, fraternities and sororities and other entities to allow for parking.

Ward 7 councilmember Doug Cubberley moved that consideration for the rezoning request be put off two months to allow representatives of Van’s to work with the surrounding neighborhoods toward a compromise. It passed 9-0.

In other business, council:

• Approved a resolution declaring a payback project for costs associated with the 24th Avenue NW waterline.

• Approved by a split vote of 6-3 an encroachment at 4212 Middlefield Court for installation of a swimming pool, with a portion in a utility easement. Ward 2 councilmember Richard Stawicki, Ward 5 councilmember Rachel Butler and Ward 6 councilmember David Hopper cast the “nay” votes.

• Approved an encroachment at 5009 Kathy Lynn Drive for a structure in the utility easement. The contractor on the home, which has already been constructed, mislocated the home and violated the building setback code by about five feet.

• Approved an amendment of the site plan for the Park Hill Addition, a PUD, for a 68.79-acre tract of land on the south side of Tecumseh Road east of 12th Avenue NE. The amendment would allow a temporary mobile home on the property.

• Approved a site plan for the Hall Park Fourth Addition for an 81.74-acre tract at 1501 24th Avenue NE. Applicant was Wildwood Community Church.

• Approved closure of a portion of Linn Street north of Alameda Street and west of Findlay Avenue. Applicant was William Mattoon, president of the Huntington Investment Corporation.

• Approved an ordinance amending the side yard and rear yard setback requirements of the RE or residential estate dwelling district from 25 feet to 10 feet for accessory buildings only.