Public hearing opened on 441 Oxford Road resubdivision; applicant proposes conservation easement to protect wetlands

The Oxford Planning & Zoning Commission opened a public hearing on application Z‑24‑102441 for a two‑lot resubdivision at 441 Oxford Road.

Chris Pawlowski, a licensed professional engineer with Civil 1 representing the applicant, told the commission the proposal would split the existing parcel so the Oxford House Tavern remains on a 4.08‑acre parcel and a new ~3.5‑acre lot fronting Randall Drive would be created for a single‑family residence. "The restaurant's not closing," Pawlowski said, adding that the restaurant parcel will remain unchanged and that the developer will place a conservation easement on the majority of the wetland area "in perpetuity." He also submitted mailing receipts and a revised plan set addressing minor edits requested at the prior meeting.

Multiple neighbors asked questions at the public hearing. William Armitage, who said he lives at 6 Governors Hill Road, confirmed with the applicant that only one new house is proposed and that existing outbuildings and a small bridge adjacent to the river will remain associated with the restaurant parcel. Another resident, who identified himself as Nick, raised long‑standing drainage complaints on Randall Drive; Pawlowski said the project’s soil and erosion controls will be installed and that the proposed lot’s drainage will be contained on site per the approval process, and the commission encouraged the resident to continue engaging Public Works on preexisting roadway drainage problems.

Matt Cohen of 10 Bridal Drive asked whether blasting or other construction would jeopardize neighbors’ wells or septic systems. Pawlowski said no blasting is proposed; he explained that if blasting were ever required, the process would be tightly regulated, pretesting would be conducted and the fire marshal would supervise the work.

Commissioners noted that the split will reduce the parcel's existing nonconformity by creating a residential lot and a separate restaurant parcel, bringing the property closer to conformance with town zoning. Commissioner comments and public testimony concluded and a motion to close the public hearing was made and carried by voice vote; no final decision on the application was recorded at this meeting.

The commission did not vote on the resubdivision itself and left the application open for further administrative review and any required follow‑ups, including the commission’s standard review of revised plans and agency signoffs.