Restoring Local Control: Sen. Nikki Nice’s Zoning Reform Victory

Senate Bill 717, championed by Senator Nikki Nice, passed the Oklahoma Senate unanimously in late April 2025. The legislation restores zoning authority within the Capitol‑Medical Center Improvement District back to local cities and towns, reversing decades of state‑centrist planning that often ignored neighborhood needs. Nice collaborated closely with Oklahoma City council members, community associations, and the Medical Center advisory board to craft language that balances development goals with resident input. By empowering local stakeholders, SB 717 embodies the OLBC’s commitment to economic empowerment and civic engagement, ensuring neighborhoods have a seat at the table in decisions that affect their daily lives. As the bill moves to the House for consideration, advocates remain optimistic that this model of community‑led policymaking will serve as a template for other districts across the state.