Oxford commissioners approve conditional rezoning for 409‑acre Hunt Landis development amid resident objections

Oxford commissioners voted to approve a conditional rezoning for the 409‑acre Hunt Landis development off Landis Road, Salem Road and Tabbs Creek after a developer presentation and an extended public‑comment period. The zoning change rezones the site to residential‑mixed‑use (RMU) with a developer‑proposed density cap of 4.56 units per acre and conditions that include 1,300‑square‑foot homes, 37 acres of open space and 10.24 acres of recreation space.

The project presenter told the board that the plan includes a mix of townhomes, single‑family homes, an assisted‑living component, a commercial area and amenities; technical review was completed and the Planning Board recommended approval. The presenter said a traffic impact analysis (TIA) prepared and reviewed by NCDOT identified roughly 15 intersections for improvements and that required road upgrades would be paid by the developer. The presenter also said the on‑site golf course would be owned and operated by a private entity (not the city or the HOA) and that some amenity spaces would be maintained by the HOA; the developer added it expects actual built density to be lower than the 4.56 maximum once grading, easements and utilities are finalized.

Residents voiced a series of concerns during public comment. Loretta Getz said she was "not opposed to the development, but growth is necessary" and urged that growth "be done right," asking commissioners to reduce units per acre, conduct a full traffic and infrastructure study that includes nearby Perry Farm, and increase perimeter buffers. Henry Murray, whose neighborhood borders the site, urged the board to "decline to advance this proposal until meaningful changes to density and buffer can be achieved" and recommended applying RA/RA conservation zoning along outer portions to limit density to one or two units per acre. Kathy May cited the city’s 2022 survey and warned that 4.5 houses per acre would create traffic problems near Oxford Preparatory School (which she said serves about 860 students and was planning growth) and asked the board to send developers back to the drawing board. Other residents raised longstanding concerns about water, sewer, police and fire capacity; Bill Rifkin cited zoning‑regulation goals (Article 7 language) and said the town must ensure public health, safety and adequate services.

Commissioners and staff responded that the city requires technical review and long‑range planning; the city manager described ongoing infrastructure planning that considers 5‑, 20‑ and 30‑year horizons and said staff works to protect existing residents during expansion. Several commissioners said they heard residents’ concerns and would focus on density in future deliberations.

After questions and brief discussion, the board took a motion to approve the conditional rezoning. The chair called the question; board members voted in favor with one recorded opposition. The chair announced the motion carries.

What happens next: the vote advances the conditional zoning as presented; the developer will complete engineering and construction drawings and the project is expected to be phased over many years (the presenter estimated a likely 10–15 year build-out). Required follow‑up includes technical engineering review, final plats, permitting and the developer’s delivery of the road and traffic improvements identified in the TIA. The project also includes a stated land donation to Oxford Preparatory School as a condition of the proposal.

The record shows the board carried the motion with one recorded opposed; specific roll‑call votes were not read into the record in detail during the public session.