The town’s push to establish incentive housing overlay zones in several commercial districts continues with a discussion of three potential sites Tuesday.
“We want to show the public where we are on incentive housing and get feedback from the citizens,” said William Johnson, chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission.
The overlay zones are met to encourage affordable housing at suitable spots in town. Oxford lost an affordable housing lawsuit — mainly because a judge said the town has done little to nothing to provide affordable housing for state residents.
The special meeting is set for Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Town Hall.
Click here for the state’s legal definition of incentive housing overlay zones.
Click here for a website from the town explaining the issue.
Frank Fish, a consultant with BFJ Planning in Manhattan, will be talking about three sites Oxford is considering.
The three zones outlined are:
- “Site A,” Near Echo Valley Road at what is now the Haynes quarry. A total of 38 developable acres, which means potential room for 380 townhouse units, 76 of which would be affordable.
Fish previously pointed out the total potential is almost never reached and the actual number of townhouses built would be less.
- “Site B,” in the area of West Road and Wedge Hill Road at what is now known for Tommy K’s shopping center. A total of 13 acres, with room for a potential 130 units, 26 of which would be affordable.
- “Site C” is Mountain Road, near the Seymour town line. A total of 17 acres, with room for a potential 170 townhouse units, 34 of which would be affordable.
The town has already held several meetings in an attempt to explain what they’re trying to do.
“Our first session with the public was a town meeting format of questions and answers,” Fish said, referring to a meeting earlier this year with the public. “We plan this one to be more interactive with round-table discussions.”
The three zones would be overlaid onto existing commercials zones, giving property owners an option to either develop commercial enterprises, or to develop townhouses, 20 percent of which would be deed restricted as affordable.
To see a previous story on the incentive housing zone project, click here.
