Teresa Elam drafted a proposal for an East Norman Agricultural and Watershed Overlay District. It would generally limit residential development on certain agricultural properties east of 24th Avenue to one home per 10 acres. On developments covering at least 40 acres, construction would be concentrated on no more than a quarter of the property, with the rest permanently set aside for farming or conservation.

The draft has not been formally presented to the Norman City Council. Elam said she has shared it with councilmembers and is seeking feedback from agricultural and conservation organizations.

Elam, whose family has lived in the Norman area for generations, said she wants growth to continue without displacing farmland or putting water quality at risk. Her cattle farm uses a private well, and the proposed district is intended in part to protect the Lake Thunderbird watershed and the Garber-Wellington Aquifer, which supply water to Norman and surrounding communities.

Norman Ward 5 Councilmember Trey Kirby also voiced concern about development spreading farther east. He said the city should first consider adding housing in already developed areas, including through infill and denser construction.

Kirby said he is gathering information and talking with fellow councilmembers about potentially reopening parts of the city’s AIM 2045 comprehensive land-use plan. He wants to revisit development boundaries in Ward 5, while noting that changing them could be complicated because some properties have already been platted.

Supporters have started an online petition to show community backing for the proposed overlay. It had collected more than 140 signatures toward an initial goal of 250.

Elam said the effort is meant to keep east Norman’s agricultural landscape part of the city’s future while allowing development that protects local water resources.