The Oxford Board of Aldermen has recently chosen a consultant to work with the city on a new comprehensive plan that will guide the growth of the city through 2037. Partners, Orion/Walker will draw up the new plans for Oxford.
A comprehensive plan is a tool for planning the growth of local communities. Once it is properly developed, the plan can be of great use to the city’s efficiency. The new plan must also be accurately reflected by the city’s zoning ordinance, according to Oxford city planner Andrea Correll.
The zoning ordinance is the ultimate regulation of land use while the comprehensive plan is intended to illustrate future land use, which zoning is based on.
This new comprehensive plan will serve as a playbook for the next twenty-year period. It will also serve as the visual illustration of how this land can develop.
Called “2037: Our 200th,” the plan will be very beneficial towards the community, as it will be focusing on specific build-out statistics. This means taking the future population, putting it on the land and making it agreeable for the city.
2037 is the city of Oxford’s 200th year anniversary.
“When land comes into the city, areas of the adopted Future Land Plan from the adopted 2004 Comprehensive Plan must be amended,” Correll said. “As a planner, I have to bring the plan up-to-date. Usually in Mississippi, comprehensive plans are updated every five years. Oxford’s hasn’t been updated in ten.”
For the next six to eight months, there will be informational meetings with a steering committee aimed at informing the public of the progress of the new Comprehensive Plan. Orion/Walker will also be reviewing The University of Mississippi’s master plan, which, according to olemiss.edu, establishes a vision for an agreeable and lively campus setting.
Oxford native and Ole Miss student Callie Mayo said that she is glad the committee will keep the public updated on this new comprehensive plan. She also stated that she is both excited and nervous to see what the future holds for Oxford.
“Growth is a good thing. It shows that our community is doing well and thriving. However, one of the most appealing parts about Oxford growing up and, still today, is the small town feel. I’m nervous our town is going to keep growing and take that aspect away from it,” she said.
The informational meetings will occur once a month and will serve as an interaction tool for the people of Oxford.
