Council approves final easements for Oxford Area Trail System Phase 5 after extensive public support and owner negotiations

Oxford City Council on March 11 adopted multiple ordinances to acquire permanent and temporary rights of way and memorialize easement agreements needed to construct Phase 5 of the Oxford Area Trail System, a stretch city officials described as the critical link that will connect the high school, middle school and existing trail segments.

The measures include two appropriation ordinances to take title or interests in parcels on or near Oxford Riley Road and Gardenia Drive, and separate ordinances authorizing easement agreements with Cobblestone Community Church Incorporated; South Farm Development Incorporated; South Farm Owners Association, Incorporated; HPCT Properties Incorporated; the Abraham and Eulan M. Kurunga Family Trust; and CSX Transportation Incorporated. Council also adopted an ordinance memorializing an existing easement with Cobblestone Community Church and several other already-negotiated agreements.

Phase 5 was described by city staff as the “critical link” that will connect Phase 3 with Phase 4, tie the high school to the middle school, and provide a northern connector to the city sidewalk…