Oxford Zoning Appeal Moves Forward

Lawyers for the town and the homeowner who appealed a recent zone change on Route 67 don’t appear ready to back down. 

Lawyers representing each side this week filed paperwork at Superior Court in Milford — starting the long court process that could determine the fate of a proposed medical complex and the town’s new library.

Background

In January, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted to change the zoning on a 20-acre lot along Route 67 from residential to commercial.

The change allows Salton Enterprises Inc. and Belmar Farms LLC to develop a four-building medical complex on the property. As part of the proposal, about five acres of the land will eventually be donated to the town to build a new library.

But in February, Wall appealed the decision, saying it conflicted with the town’s comprehensive plan — a document that provides guidelines for town land use.

Wall lives on the property next to the proposed medical complex, on Wedge Hill Drive.

Arguments

Wall’s attorney, Gregory Cava of Roxbury, called the zone change ​“spot zoning.”

“The commission was in the wrong approving this,” Cava said. ​“You can’t create a new zone within another one.” 

But town officials argued that the zone change made sense and complied with the comprehensive plan. 

First Selectwoman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers supported the zone change, saying the town had extended the sewer hookup to the area, and the medical complex would address resident needs.

Oxford’s attorney, Fran Teodosio, said Thursday, the town was preparing its defense. 

“The decision falls within the rights of the commission allowed by the zoning regulations,” Teodosio said. 

The case is still in its early stages and is not expected to reach the courtroom for sometime.

Library Project

Meanwhile, the Library Building and Planning Committee is moving ahead with its options for a new library — despite uncertainty about the land on Route 67.

George Mitchell, chairman of the Library Planning and Building Committee, said the site on Route 67 would be ideal because of its familiar location to residents and ​“picturesque” pond on the property.

But, Mitchell said, the Route 67 site is only one of three locations the committee is considering for the new library.

“Right now it is all up in the air so we cannot really say where the library is going to be yet,” he said. 

The committee is evaluating architects to create plans for a new building and expects to present its findings in six months. 

It’s not clear if the conflict over the Route 67 property will be handled by then.

“This is going to be a long process,” Cava said. ​“A very long process.” 

The next filing deadline in the case is June 6.

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