Like I have said before, we are not getting any new zoning with this new comprehensive plan, just the ability to spend decades fighting for possibly getting some new zoning, which isn't much different than now.
I understand your frustration with the fact that the zoning maps won't change up front. I share your concern that it will take years for enough people to "opt-in" to better zoning options. And I agree that having a patchwork of zoning is not the fastest way to get where we need to go.
However, I do believe that we are moving in the right direction. We will finally have the ability to zone for traditional, mixed-use developments. (Ground-floor retail with 2 or 3 floors of residential above with no setbacks and reduced parking requirements as well as shared parking and bike parking.)
Also, Tulsans would go berserk if large-scale changes were made to the zoning map all at once. Hundreds / thousands of people who don't know a zoning ordinance from a hole in the wall would begin screaming about the destruction of the free world and the coming Armageddon. It would distract from and crush the new zoning code and prevent people from focusing on the actual meat of the code (which we all need to do--there are improvements that need to occur).
My belief is that people need to see examples of something before they can support it. If a few good developers can start creating terrific new mixed-use spaces (traditional building form in the right context), people will start to get it. Then our politicians can start seeing the economic benefits, and we'll have more support. I think that it will get the ball rolling, and more and more people will want to rezone larger areas. Then, you'll start to see the maps changing.
I just don't think Tulsa is ready to jump in with both feet (our motto: "Tulsa - Scared of Our Own Shadow!"), but once people start seeing real life examples of high-quality mixed-use infill, they will catch on.