Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sidewalk Project topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents urge pause on Heritage subdivision sidewalk; council schedules work session
Summary
Homeowners from Old Farm Road and Country Club Drive told council they were not notified about a proposed $153,000 sidewalk project affecting nine lots, warned of tree loss and financial burden, and asked council to suspend follow-up; council scheduled a March 3 work session to continue the discussion.
Dozens of Oxford residents spoke during public comment on Feb. 21 to oppose a proposed sidewalk project affecting the Heritage subdivision (Old Farm Road and Country Club Drive), saying they learned of the plan from news coverage rather than direct city outreach and asking council to pause or postpone further work until homeowners are consulted.
J. Marcus Joe said he became aware of reporting about a $153,000 sidewalk proposal on Feb. 13 and told council, “There is no publicly known reason for it,” urging the city to work with affected property owners before moving forward.
Debbie Samland, who said she contacted all nine impacted homeowners, told council the plan would ask homeowners to pay an estimated 25% of the cost — she calculated about $4,250 per homeowner — and that at least three of the nine owners are retirees on fixed incomes. “No homeowner was formally advised of the cost or potential addition to their current Oxford City taxes,” Samland said, and she urged council to suspend any follow through on the project.
Homeowner Jeremy Michael said the neighborhood has existed for 60 years with no recorded traffic accidents on those dead-end streets and warned the project could set a precedent affecting other historic neighborhoods, add utility relocation costs and require removal of mature maples. Chip Murray emphasized the aesthetic and monetary value of the trees and said his neighbors do not want sidewalks that would require removing large maples.
Mayor Michael Smith told residents the project is not yet funded and that discussions began after a visually impaired neighbor reported difficulty leaving the neighborhood without walking in the street; council scheduled a March 3 work session to continue the sidewalk conversation and give residents a forum for more information and input.
What’s next: Council will continue the sidewalk discussion at a March 3 work session where staff and council will present details, background and options; residents requested direct notification and opportunities for input prior to any decision to fund or construct the sidewalk.
