Comprehensive Plan City of Oxford, Ohio
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Comprehensive Plan City of Oxford, Ohio Adopted November 4, 2008 Prepared By ACP Visioning+Planning Development Economics Acknowledgements City Council Prudence Z. Dana, Mayor Kenneth H. Bogard, Vice-Mayor Douglas M. Ross Alysia Fischer Richard Keebler Greig Rutherford Kate Currie Planning Commission Paul Brady (Expired Member & Former Chair) Bill Brewer, Chair Dr. Susan A. Kay, Vice Chair Marvin Hurston, Secretary Alysia Fischer, Council Rep. Richard Keebler, Council Rep. David Prytherch Ted Wong Staff Douglas Elliott, City Manager Jung-Han Chen, AICP, Community Development Director Kathryn A. Dale, AICP, Planner Lynn Taylor, Community Development Dept. Administrative Assistant Consultants ACP Visioning+Planning Development Economics Steering Committee Prue Dana & Doug Ross – City Council Paul Brady & Bill Brewer – Planning Commission Mike Smith – HAPC William Hazelton – Miami University Bethany Bowyer – Miami University (Student Representative) Chris Rhoton – Talawanda School District Heidi Schran – Environmental Commission Larry Frimerman – Oxford Township David C. Fehr – Butler County JoNell Rowan & Mike Patterson – Chamber of Commerce Diana Ruther – Oxford Township Community Services Suzanne Kostic, James Brock, Bob Karrow, Sam Fitton & Betty Quantz – At Large November Public Forums Knolls of Oxford Talawanda Middle School Oxford United Methodist Church Talawanda High School Senior Government Class & Ms. Darlene Mahaney Follet’s Books Store for bag donation Kroger for meat tray donations Starbucks for coffee donations Oxford Tomorrow: Community Update Acknowledgements Wal-Mart for gift card donation PR Visions Miami University Student Volunteers who distributed flyers Alpha Phi Omega for babysitting Cobblestone Community Church for volunteers and beverage & snack donations DP Dough gift certificate donations for volunteers Facilitators: Mike Smith Dick Munson Kay Phillips Sondra Engel Holli Morrish Kate Currie Barbara Hamilton Scott Ulrich David Prytherch Ken Bogard Sandi Hazleton-Woy Bill Fisher Doug Ross Mary Woodworth Jon Ralinovski Bob Karrow Susan Lipnickey Elizabeth Wilson Andrew Wilson Charles Crain Mary Jo Clark Wendy Duvall Mary Holtz Dave McDaniel Steve Dana Bernadette Unger Carole Katz Diana Durr Linda Kimball Bobbe Burke Chris Adryan Darlene Mahaney March Community Choices Event Talawanda Middle School Talawanda High School Senior Gov’t Class & Ms. Darlene Mahaney Kroger for meat tray donations Starbucks for coffee donations Wal-Mart for gift card donation PRVisions MU Student Volunteers who distributed flyers Alpha Phi Omega for babysitting July Open House Kramer Elementary School McDonalds for beverages Steering Committee Members, Susan Kay & Anna Hurley for flyer distribution Oxford Tomorrow: Community Update Contents 1. INTRODUCTION A. What is a Comprehensive Plan 1.1 B. Why Update the Plan 1.1 C. Plan Organization 1.2 D. Planning Process 1.3 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A. Overview 2.1 B. Key Directions of the Plan 2.1 C. Key Technical Findings 2.2 D. Policy Foundation 2.4 E. Planning a Sustainable Future 2.7 F. Implementation 2.8 3. LAND USE A. Overview 3.1 B. Key Findings 3.1 C. Land Use Direction 3.8 D. Objectives and Strategies 3.21 4. URBAN DESIGN A. Overview 4.1 B. Key Findings 4.2 C. Objectives and Strategies 4.4 Oxford Tomorrow: Oxford, Ohio Contents 5. TRANSPORTATION A. Overview 5.1 B. Key Findings 5.2 C. Objectives and Strategies 5.5 6. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT A. Overview 6.1 B. Key Findings 6.2 C. Objectives and Strategies 6.4 7. HOUSING A. Overview 7.1 B. Key Findings 7.1 C. Objectives and Strategies 7.4 8. UTILITIES A. Overview 8.1 B. Key Findings 8.1 C. Objectives and Strategies 8.3 9. COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES A. Overview 9.1 B. Key Findings 9.1 C. Objectives and Strategies 9.3 10. CULTURAL RESOURCES A. Overview 10.1 B. Key Findings 10.1 C. Objectives and Strategies 10.4 11. UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY A. Overview 11.1 B. Key Findings 11.1 C. Objectives and Strategies 11.2 12. IMPLEMENTATION A. Overview 12.1 B. Key Findings 12.2 C. Plan Management 12.2 D. How to Use the Plan 12.3 E. Objectives and Strategies 12.4 F. Related Plans 12.5 G. Summary of Strategies 12.5 Oxford Tomorrow: Community Update 1. Introduction Chapter Outline: A. WHAT IS A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN A. What is a Comprehensive Plan? A Comprehensive Plan is a broad policy document intended to guide decision- B. Why Update the Plan? making on long-term physical development. Comprised of policy statements, C. Plan Organization D. Planning Process principles, goals, objectives, strategies and maps, the Plan guides the physical, social, and economic development of the municipality and its environs. This includes both private and public development. The Plan is implemented over time through many distinct decisions including annual budgeting, departmental work programs, rezoning and subdivision of land. The Ohio Planning and Zoning Law Handbook provides a more rigorous legal definition of a comprehensive plan. The comprehensive plan is the chief policy instrument for: (1) the administration of zoning and subdivision regulations; (2) the location and classification of streets and thoroughfares; (3) the location and construction of public and semi-public buildings and related community facilities and infrastructure (water, storm and sanitary sewers, gas, etc.); (4) the acquisition and development of public and semi-public properties such as parks and open spaces; and (5) the initiation of new programs, such as those in the areas of housing rehabilitation and economic development, to address pressing community needs (Source: Ohio Planning and Zoning Law). B. WHY UPDATE THE PLAN? The 1998 Comprehensive Plan has guided the community to address a variety of growth and redevelopment issues. However, new information and technologies are available to strengthen the Plan, and the community faces new development that Oxford Tomorrow: Oxford, Ohio 1.1 Introduction must be managed in a responsible and respectful way to protect and enhance Oxford’s unique small college town character. A concerted effort was undertaken to update the Plan to provide direction to elected and appointed decision makers that spells out priorities for future development. This included extensive public involvement which validated the community’s vision for the future. C. PLAN ORGANIZATION The Comprehensive Plan is organized into twelve chapters. A fundamental change from the 1998 Plan is in the Plan structure, which now combines the Land Use and Natural Resources chapters, and the Governance and Implementation chapters. This did not eliminate the findings and recommendations from these chapters, but simply folded them into the recommendations of another chapter. Separate Appendices were also produced which include the results of the public meetings and the findings from the background research on the existing conditions and trends in Oxford. Below is an outline and brief description of each of the additional elements of the Plan. Plan Document Chapter 2: Executive Summary – provides an overview of the planning process, and key plan elements, and outline of the considerations and recommendations in the Plan. Chapter 3: Land Use – identifies issues related to growth and development, analyze the current land use pattern and sets forth a set of development principles and map illustrating how and where the city should grow. Chapter 4: Urban Design – addresses the community’s urban form and provides guidance for the preservation and enhancement of the form and identity of the city. Chapter 5: Transportation – evaluates current and future transportation needs based on the findings and recommendations from the 2007 Thoroughfare Plan. Chapter 6: Economic Development – outlines economic development strategies to attract new businesses, support existing local businesses, and meet the retail, dining, and entertainment needs of current and future residents. Chapter 7: Housing – makes recommendations on the quantity, location and types of housing in Oxford, including new and existing housing units. Chapter 8: Utilities – establishes key policies and programs for the timely, fiscally responsible, and environmentally conscious extension and management of the city’s potable water, sanitary sewer, and surface water infrastructure systems. Chapter 9: Community Facilities and Services – examines the location and capacity of city offices, safety facilities, schools, health care and other public facilities. 1.2 Oxford Tomorrow: Community Update Introduction Chapter 10: Cultural Resources – examines historical and cultural facilities including historic structures and districts, landmarks and other cultural facilities and events throughout the community. Chapter 11: University and Community – outlines ways to further develop partnerships between Miami University and the City. Chapter 12: Implementation – provides guidance for maintaining accountability, monitoring activities, creating appropriate development regulations and procedures, and involving the community in implementation of the Plan. Appendices Appendix A - Existing Conditions and Trends Memorandums - includes three separate memorandums. Appendix B - Public Workshops Summary - describes the structure and results of the Public Workshops conducted from November 12 -15, 2007. Appendix C - Community Choices Summary - describes the structure and results of the Community Choices Workshop conducted on March 10, 2008. Appendix D - Open House Summary - describes the structure and results of the Open House held on July 22, 2008. D. PLANNING PROCESS