MASTER PLAN

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A master plan is an official public document adopted by a quasi-legislative body (Planning Commission) that suggests, in a general way, how the county should develop in the next 20 to 30 years. It is the duty of the county Planning Commission to make and adopt a master plan for the unincorporated territory of the county.

Technical Elements

Although the contents of master plans vary, 3 technical elements are commonly included. The first is goals, objectives, and policies. The goals provide general statements reflecting the desires of the county residents and officials regarding the use of land, and lays the groundwork for the plan map and the land use decision-making process. Objectives establish a more specific framework for the larger goal. The policies provide the official positions relating to the identified goals and establish guidelines for direction or action.

Second, master plans generally include general background information concerning population and economies reflecting current conditions at the time the plan is adopted, and to generally speculate on future trends to provide a basis for goals, objectives, and policies. Finally, nearly every plan includes a land use map. This map graphically represents the goals and policies and displays the intended land use pattern. The 2020 Master Plan includes all 3 elements and is designed to guide future land use decisions throughout Unincorporated Oklahoma County.

Master plans look beyond pressing current issues to gain a perspective on issues and opportunities in the future. This plan looks to the year 2020 in depicting future land use patterns.

What Does a Master Plan Not Include

Several other documents in local planning are often confused with the master plan. These include the zoning and subdivision regulations. These are specific and detailed documents intended to implement the goals and policies of a master plan.

Particularly confusing is the misconception of the roles of zoning regulations and the land use section of a master plan. Both deal with ways to use privately owned land. The plan, however, indicates only broad categories for future land use in a county, whereas a zoning map delineates the exact boundaries of zoning districts, and a zoning resolution specifies the detailed regulations that apply to them.

When is a Master Plan Needed

The county government has a great deal of influence on land use within its jurisdiction. The services, facilities, and improvements provided or regulated by county government effect the daily lives of citizens. They give form to the county and stimulate and direct the use of privately owned land.

In the unincorporated areas of Oklahoma County, the county government is the only body with an opportunity to coordinate the overall pattern of physical development. Therefore, county government often needs technical guidance in making these land use decisions. The Planning Commission can provide this guidance with assistance from professional staff planners, but the form in which guidance is given is important. The county government needs an instrument that establishes long-range, general policies in a coordinated, unified manner, which can be continually referred to in decision-making. The master plan is the instrument that can help guide many development related decisions in unincorporated Oklahoma County.

Current Master Plan

• Oklahoma County Master Plan (PDF)

Current Land Use Maps

• Northwest Land Use Plan (PDF)
• Southeast Land Use Plan (PDF)
• Northeast Land Use Plan (PDF)

Previous Master Plan Materials

• Results of Oklahoma County Planning Survey (PDF)
• Oklahoma County Survey Results Map (PDF)
• May 22, 2007 Master Plan Meeting Presentation (PDF)
• May 22, 2007 Future Land Use Presentation (PDF)
• May 22, 2007 Final Meeting Handout (PDF)
• Master Plan Meeting Results (PDF)
• Oklahoma County Master Plan Poster (PDF)

Amendment Information

Oklahoma County began the process of amending the current master plan in the fall of 2013 with a public survey.  Oklahoma County staff complied a report of the survey results to get a better understanding of what Oklahoma County citizens want included in the next Master Plan.

UPDATE - September 22, 2017

ACOG (Association of Central Oklahoma Governments) has completed a water study for Oklahoma County.  The study was requested by Oklahoma County staff to specifically look at the northwest portion of Oklahoma County.  The rapid development in that area in combination with the makeup of the Garber-Wellington Aquifer has raised many concerns.  The purpose of the study is to help staff and citizens with the Master Plan Amendment and to inform citizens of the conditions that currently exist.  If you have any questions about the study contact Erik Brandt.

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