Andrea Correll, director of planning and inspections for Pinehurst, N.C., has been chosen to succeed Tim Akers as Oxford city planner. Correll is expected to join the Oxford staff April 1 in order to work with Akers before he retires April 30.
“I think it’s wonderful to have the opportunity to work with Tim,” Correll said. “He can take me around and show me the issues.”
Correll is from Athens, Ga., and earned a B.A. in geography from the University of Georgia as well as a master’s degree in city planning from Georgia Institute of Technology.
Correll has previous experience working in Atlanta and Charlotte, N.C., both cities that encountered rapid growth issues similar to those of Oxford.
“There are issues that officials will figure out if they are concerned about the quality or the quantity of growth,” Correll said. “When the elected officials decide how they want to address growth issues, I will be glad to follow their lead and work with the technical side of accomplishing that.”
Correll said one of the issues in Oxford is the growth in historic neighborhoods where people try to place an 8,000-square-foot house where there used to be a cottage-style house.
“I think it’s more important in historic communities, such as Oxford and Pinehurst, to be sensitive to infill,” Correll said.
For example, last week the Oxford Planning Commission rejected plans to develop five acres surrounding the historic Shaw house. The plans included demolition of five older structures on the property.
“That’s not the kind of growth that the planning board in Oxford wants,” Correll said. “It wasn’t consistent with the surrounding historic properties.”
Correll said she will have to experience Oxford more this upcoming month before she forms a plan to accommodate for Oxford’s rapid growth.
“Yes, I have a master’s degree in city planning and 25 years of experience, but I don’t have any experience yet working for Oxford,” Correll said. “So, I need to find my feet to address the issues.”
Correll has lived and worked in a college town before and said she is excited about coming to Oxford.
“I enjoy the vitality, the music and the art that are available when you work and live in a university community,” Correll said.
Oxford Mayor Pat Patterson said Correll had an outstanding interview, which won her the position from among multiple other applicants.
“Her educational credentials are impeccable,” Patterson said. “She has a wide range of experience.”
Although Patterson said he is thrilled to have such a candidate as Correll to fill the position, he said Akers has done a great job for the city.
Akers, who has been the city planner for nine years, said he feels the success he has experienced as city planner was through the efforts and dedication of other city staff and community volunteers.
“The one project that I have participated in and hope for continued future success is the Oxford University Transit,” Akers said.
Akers said Oxford is experiencing development pressure, and these pressures need to be managed to ensure the development improves the quality of life for all residents.
“The city needs a strong planning presence to manage and guide future development,” Akers said. “I’m sure Mrs. Correll will do an excellent job for Oxford.”
— Randall Haley
arhaley@go.olemiss.edu
