Tulsa delays Project Anthem rezoning vote amid community concerns

The Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission has postponed a crucial rezoning vote for Project Anthem, a planned data center development in East Tulsa, until April 1. The delay was requested by the developer to allow more time to gather additional information, as announced by planning officials during a March 18 meeting. Community members, who filled the Tulsa City Council chambers for the meeting, voiced their frustration over the deferral. Cheynna Morgan, a resident, stated that the repeated need to take time off work to attend meetings was "disrespectful to community members." Another resident, Jordan Harmon, expressed disappointment but noted he wasn't surprised by the request or outcome. Simultaneously, Tulsa city leaders are contemplating an ordinance that would impose a 365-day moratorium on new data center agreements within city limits. While this proposed moratorium would not affect Phase 1 of Project Anthem, which is already underway, it could potentially halt a future Phase 2. The Planning Commission is set to revisit the rezoning vote for Project Anthem on April 1.