Oxford Wants Public to Hear About Changes to Affordable Housing Regulations

The following comes from Oxford Zoning Enforcement Officer Anna Rycenga:

OXFORD - The Planning & Zoning Commission of the Town of Oxford will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at 7 p.m. in the Main Public Meeting Room of the S.B. Church Memorial Town Hall, 486 Oxford Road. The purpose of the public hearing is for the Proposed Text Amendments to the Oxford Planning & Zoning Regulations – Article 10, Section 9 Affordable Housing Applications.

The text amendments are being considered by the Planning & Commission at this meeting and at this time interested persons may be heard and written communications received.  A copy of the proposed text amendments are on file in the Town Clerk’s Office.

The proposal would create a new “Article 10, Section 9 Affordable Housing Applications” under Article 10 – Special Exceptions.  The proposed new section would allow affordable housing, as a special exception use, in the Residence A, Commercial, Route 67 Office Professional, and Oxford Center Districts.

The Town of Oxford is a small, historically rural town that has in recent years experienced rapid growth. The Town has a number of large, undeveloped parcels of land which are attractive for higher density residential development. A new, state of the art high school, major industrial development, infrastructure improvements, a golf course, demanding airport, and numerous recreational parks have made the Town an attractive development option.

Despite the recent residential development activity, the 2011 Affordable Housing Appeals List promulgated by the State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, shows that the Town has 4,746 total housing units, of which just 45, or 0.95 percent, are considered "affordable" under the criteria of General Statutes § 8-30g.

The Planning & Zoning Commission hereby recognizes that there is a need to increase affordable housing in the Town, to provide housing for our senior and workforce populations, and housing that is attractive to and affordable by young adults. However, it is important that all housing, including affordable housing, be developed in a manner which is consistent with the character and history of the Town, and is guided in a manner which is beneficial to all residents of the Town.  Accordingly, the Planning & Zoning Commission is considering the proposed text amendments.