2008 Woodie Awards
Oxford passes Charter Amendment
Vote complements new ordinance to regulate uptown infrastructure
Christopher Washington
Issue date: 11/9/07 Section: Community
Members of the Oxford community came together Election Day Tuesday to have their hand in changing a piece of Oxford's history-amending the Oxford City Charter.
Issue 20, which removed the maximum three dwelling units restriction per building lot within the uptown district, passed within the electorate with a total of 1,355 votes, approximately 59 percent of the individuals who participated in the election.
According to Vice Mayor Prue Dana, a proponent of Issue 20, the limitation on dwelling units above commercial space uptown was imposed upon the Oxford City Charter in 1980. Dana said the restriction was implemented because concern had aroused from Oxford citizens pertaining to the increasing amount of residents moving to the uptown area. However, Oxford City Councilor Alan Kyger readdressed the issue in 2006 because he felt the restriction was hindering development uptown.
Twenty-seven years later, with the constraint lifted, Dana said the Charter Amendment would greatly help local businesses.
"(The amendment) means that the city has begun to clear away obstacles in the path of encouraging business uptown," Dana said.
Dana said the limitation on dwelling units was hurting businesses uptown because building owners were subdividing the lots to increase the dwelling units above. As a result this decreased the commercial space available per lot.
"Now we have to follow up … and make sure we're doing the right thing (with the amendment)," Dana said. "We have to make sure we have the right rules and regulations to encourage business and development."
Legislation in conjunction with the amendment
Tuesday also rendered new legislation from Oxford City Council that will work in conjunction with the Charter Amendment, which is now part of the city's zoning code.
As passed by council Tuesday, residential spaces uptown may only occupy double the amount of square feet located on the commercial space it sits above, according to Oxford City Planner Kathy Dale. Currently, the
Issue 20, which removed the maximum three dwelling units restriction per building lot within the uptown district, passed within the electorate with a total of 1,355 votes, approximately 59 percent of the individuals who participated in the election.
According to Vice Mayor Prue Dana, a proponent of Issue 20, the limitation on dwelling units above commercial space uptown was imposed upon the Oxford City Charter in 1980. Dana said the restriction was implemented because concern had aroused from Oxford citizens pertaining to the increasing amount of residents moving to the uptown area. However, Oxford City Councilor Alan Kyger readdressed the issue in 2006 because he felt the restriction was hindering development uptown.
Twenty-seven years later, with the constraint lifted, Dana said the Charter Amendment would greatly help local businesses.
"(The amendment) means that the city has begun to clear away obstacles in the path of encouraging business uptown," Dana said.
Dana said the limitation on dwelling units was hurting businesses uptown because building owners were subdividing the lots to increase the dwelling units above. As a result this decreased the commercial space available per lot.
"Now we have to follow up … and make sure we're doing the right thing (with the amendment)," Dana said. "We have to make sure we have the right rules and regulations to encourage business and development."
Legislation in conjunction with the amendment
Tuesday also rendered new legislation from Oxford City Council that will work in conjunction with the Charter Amendment, which is now part of the city's zoning code.
As passed by council Tuesday, residential spaces uptown may only occupy double the amount of square feet located on the commercial space it sits above, according to Oxford City Planner Kathy Dale. Currently, the
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Uptown Businessman
posted 11/09/07 @ 9:33 AM EST
Matt Rodbro says: "I'm honestly very proud of the city council for producing such a quality change... The increased density uptown will allow more businesses to open uptown and will allow more eclectic businesses to open rather than franchise after franchise. (Continued…)
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