Oxford Realty previews 30-acre annexation and PUD concept at 17th and 40th; commissioners raise access and wetland questions

Developers from Oxford Realty presented a conceptual plan for a roughly 30-acre annexation and mixed-use PUD at the corner of Seventeenth Avenue and South 40th Street, including single-family attached and detached housing, a multifamily parcel, a commercial corner and a combined stormwater/park area.

Mike Korman of CPS introduced the concept on behalf of Oxford and said the team plans to bring a preliminary PUD and plat to the May Planning and Zoning meeting and a final application in June. He said build-out could span two to five years and that the site lies within a growth-tier “island” being considered for annexation.

Why it matters: the site is a significant undeveloped parcel near existing residential and commercial areas. Developers showed conceptual layouts with an east-side R-2 (single-family attached/detached) area, a central stormwater pond co-located with park dedication, an R-4 multifamily block to the west and a B-3 commercial corner to the northwest.

Commissioners and staff questioned potential connections to Bethesda, a private road and townhouse community: several commissioners said opening the private road could increase traffic for existing townhomes and would require property-owner agreements. Staff also noted potential wetland areas that would likely require U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 404 permits for impacts or fill. Commissioners suggested creating parallel sidewalk/utility easements to align with surrounding infrastructure and examining controlled access at the commercial corner.

The applicant said the team will host neighborhood meetings and work through annexation and permit requirements; no formal action was taken — the session was informational and the developer will return with formal filings.