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Oxford shifts UDC rewrite to outside consultant amid staff constraints
Summary
City staff told the Plan Commission June 9 that the city manager has reassigned primary responsibility for the Unified Development Code rewrite to an outside consultant because in‑house staff lack the time to finish a complete draft by year‑end; staff and the working group will continue to provide guidance.
Oxford city staff notified the Plan Commission on June 9 that the city manager has decided to transfer primary responsibility for the Unified Development Code (UDC) rewrite from in‑house staff to an outside consultant.
"At the direction of the city manager's office, the city has decided to shift primary responsibility for the UDC project from in‑house staff ... to an outside consultant," said Zach, a city planning staff member. He said the change reflects staffing constraints that prevent the community development department from both producing a high‑quality code and meeting routine departmental duties within the desired timeline.
Zach told the commission three chapters of the new code are already drafted and that the city aims to have a complete draft by the end of the year. He said the plan is for staff—including himself and Sam—to provide oversight of the consultant and for the existing working group to continue to meet and preserve the project’s goals and values.
"Our goal now is to engage a consultant who can build upon the strong foundation that we've already established and carry this work forward to completion," Zach said, while noting the staffing pivot was a recent decision and details about contracting and scope remained preliminary.
Commissioners used the item for clarifying questions about roles and continuity. Zach responded that he and Sam are expected to be the primary staff liaisons to any contracted firm and that the working group members previously involved in drafting the code would continue to contribute to the project.
Why it matters: the UDC is the city’s primary zoning and development rulebook; a consultant‑led rewrite will set the technical drafting timetable, influence public engagement timing and shape how zoning changes are implemented. The commission did not take a formal vote on the staffing decision at the June 9 meeting; Zach said he will return with further details as contracting proceeds.
Next steps: staff will seek a consultant under the city manager’s direction, continue limited internal work, and report progress and contracting details to the commission as they become available.
