Oxford BZA adopts revised procedures allowing private deliberations, recommends code changes to city council

The Oxford Board of Zoning Appeals on Aug. 26 approved a package of changes to its Rules of Procedure that allow the board to hold private deliberations on quasi‑judicial appeals and variance requests, require more formal written findings for complex cases, and set minimum timeline and notice practices for materials and adjacent‑property notification.

The move, made at the board’s regular meeting, also included the board’s unanimous recommendation that the City Council consider a text amendment to Section 11.39.02 of the city code to clarify when members may consider evidence about similarly situated properties — an issue the board said stems from prior appellate litigation in the Twelfth District.

Law Director Kennard said the changes reflect the BZA’s quasi‑judicial role and aim to reduce litigation risk and evidentiary errors in the record. “Deliberations by the board are not required to be public,” Kennard told the board, arguing that private deliberations would let members weigh evidence without the immediacy pressures of an on‑the‑spot decision.

Under the adopted rules, the board may…