More construction may be in Oxford's future if two zoning applications are granted.
The development projects, which include Myers Subdivision and the Villas of Oxford, were discussed at an Oxford Planning Commission meeting Tuesday night.
Although the subdivision and condominiums are being treated as separate projects and have different applicants, both will be built on 54.77 acres of land, owned by Harry and Anne Belle Paulin.
According to the Planning Commission's staff report from the meeting, Myers Subdivision, if approved, will be composed of 72 residential lots out of the 31.09 acres.
The plan for the remaining eastern half of Paulin property is The Villas of Oxford. The applicant, Foundation Development Group, LLC, would like to construct a 112-unit retirement community from 28 structures.
According to Economic Development Director Alan Kyger's comments in the commission report, "each project individually can be an asset to the community," but planning commission agreed with city staff reports on the issue of green space in both proposals.
Oxford's Comprehensive Plan calls for green space, or the protection of natural environment areas, to be incorporated as part of future developments in preservation efforts.
The 2008 Comprehensive Plan says that future growth at the edge of the city will preserve open space, protect the area's rural character and be consistent with other principles.
Vice-chair Susan Kay said the Myers Subdivision's proposal from the applicant, Tim Myers, did not really address the preservation of green space.
City councilor Richard Keebler echoed Kay's concerns in relation to lot coverage and green space.
"From my personal view, there's very little about this design that I like," he said.
Keebler said he found fault with the layout and placement of the streets.
"These two great, long strips that seem to go on for miles just don't do anything for me, especially when you look at the Comprehensive Plan and talk about open space," Keebler said.
According to Chair Bill Brewer, the commission was not entirely pleased with either development's proposal.
He said that while subdivisions are wonderful things for the community and that the single family homes are nice, Brewer said the plan layouts were just not yet there.
"What I'm hoping for is more of a transition to rural greenspace as opposed to another cookie cutter kind of subdivision," he said. "I'm not sure if this is greater than we can get out of a traditional kind of development."
David Prytherch, community improvement corporation representative, echoed Brewer.
Prytherch said he did not like how sidewalks were missing in both the preliminary subdivision and the planned development proposals. He said that under both sets of codes, sidewalks would need to be constructed along all roads and internal streets.
"What I see here is that someone had a development model that's worked in other places and they plugged it in here, and I don't see much sensitivity to our Comprehensive Plan," he said.
Prytherch said that he thought it was important for residents living in these communities to be able to enter uptown Oxford on a sidewalk.
"Right now, we don't have the connectivity," he said.
However many faults commission found with The Villas of Oxford proposal, Keebler said that he thought the "good-looking" condominiums that Oxford so badly needs are at least in a fine location.
If granted approval, these two developments will be built on the Paulin's land, located between Contreras and Fairfield roads. The 54.77 acres of land is zoned R1-B, which means the land is zoned for single-family residential housing. The land surrounding the property is currently used for agricultural purposes with The Knolls of Oxford directly east.
More information on the subdivision and condominiums can be found at cityofoxford.org. The Oxford Planning Commission will discuss the developments at their next meeting Jan. 13.
