OKC Plan, 2000-2020 - City of Oklahoma City

Rural Neighborhoods
Rural areas are primarily used for agricultural, forestry, mining purposes and scattered
residential development. Rural areas for the purposes of the plan are areas that do not require a full
range of essential city services. Essential services are defined in the 1990 OKC Plan as Water,
Waste Water, and urban fire protection. For the purposes of this discussion, “rural” will be defined
as all areas of Oklahoma City that presently lack one or more essential service and where such
services are not anticipated to be made available for at least 20 years. Areas in which it is anticipated
that all essential services are to be made available during the Planning period will be defined as
Growth areas, even if the present character is Rural.
Assets
Because of the large incorporated area and its location between the woodlands to the east and the
rolling prairie to the west, Oklahoma City has a wide variety of rural areas. These areas include the
wooded areas to the east and northeast, the rolling and partially wooded countryside east of Draper
Lake, the scenic areas south of Mustang, and gentle prairie topography in the north and northwestern
parts of the city. All these areas provide a rich and scenic context for the urban area and contain a
variety of assets that are in critical need of protection. These assets include the following:.
The agricultural, ranching and oil and gas extraction uses contribute significantly to the
Oklahoma City economy.
Rural areas provide locations for people who choose to live close to the city but enjoy the peace
and quiet of the countryside.
The surrounding rural areas provide a scenic context for the city. Properly protected, the
surrounding rural areas can pleasantly contrast with the intense development of the city and be a
source of community enjoyment and pride.
Many of the rural areas are in the watershed areas of Oklahoma City’s lakes (and surrounding
lakes, such as Thunderbird and Arcadia) that provide storage for the region's water supply.
Protection of these areas was a reason for the aggressive annexation program of the 1960's.
The rural areas include recharge areas for the region's aquifers, such as Garber-Wellington.
Directions
The historic uses, such as agricultural, ranching, and oil and gas extraction (where they are not
detrimental to the environment or neighboring properties), should be encouraged to continue and
be supported by appropriate services in rural areas.
Natural assets, such as wooded areas, natural topography, wildlife habitat, creeks and wetlands
should be protected.
An appropriate level of rural public services should be provided in an efficient and economical
manner.
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