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Land Use Board approves SHRI Properties plan for 145 townhomes; one variance granted
Summary
The Oxford Township Land Use Board approved SHRI Properties’ amended site plan to build 145 three‑bedroom townhomes (previously 122 townhomes plus apartments), granting one new variance for a 43‑foot deck and listing multiple compliance conditions; neighbors pressed for buffering and traffic mitigation.
Oxford Township’s Land Use Board on Jan. 27 approved SHRI Properties LLC’s amended preliminary and final site plan to develop 145 three‑bedroom townhomes on Block 25, Lot 57, granting one new variance while setting multiple technical conditions for final compliance.
The decision, made after testimony from the applicant and a presentation by NVR/Ryan Homes’ land‑development manager Deanna Shipman, was carried by a recorded vote of Ayes 7, Nays 0, Abstain 3, Absent 2. The motion to approve was made by Mrs. Hoffmann and seconded by Ms. Sadel. Mayor Norton and Mrs. Koufodontes recused themselves from this application earlier in the hearing.
Why it matters: the revised plan (site plan A1, dated Jan. 27, 2026) replaces previously proposed apartment buildings with additional townhomes, increasing the total units compared with the earlier submission. The applicant said roads and access to an existing cell‑tower remain unchanged and several buildings were reoriented to reduce impacts on the adjacent Cambridge East neighborhood.
Project details and conditions: applicant testimony and the engineer’s reports said the A1 plan proposes 145 townhomes (three bedrooms each), two on‑site parking spaces per unit, 73 guest spaces, and multiple EV charging provisions. The applicant stated there will be 314 EV ‘plug’ spots and eight surface EV parking spaces; trash, recycling and HOA maintenance (including snow removal) will be provided. Board engineer Robert Monaco listed outstanding technical items that the developer must address as conditions of approval, including revised engineering plans, stormwater management plans, photometric lighting compliance, landscaping buffers, grading, performance guarantees, HOA documents and confirmation that two‑trash‑can storage fits the proposed garages.
Concerns raised: board members questioned handicap parking counts, the shift from two‑car to one‑car garages, potential student‑generation impacts from increasing units, and whether peak‑hour traffic patterns near Pequest Road would change. Neighbor Chris Volker of Cambridge East asked for mature buffering, expressed concern the new layout sits closer to the road, and requested traffic‑calming measures; applicant representative Chris Nusser replied that final landscaping and buffers will be reviewed and approved by the planner and professionals to address such concerns.
Design: Ms. Deanna Shipman described two product styles that will be used across the development — a larger 'Pine' model (about 1,500 sq ft, one‑car garage, three bedrooms, two full baths with optional half) and a smaller 'Juniper' model (about 1,300 sq ft). She said unit colors will alternate and buyers will select color options; the HOA will maintain common areas and provide trash and snow services.
Variance and next steps: the board noted one new variance is required for a deck extending 43 feet; other variances associated with the prior plan (notably apartment height) were no longer needed. The approval is conditioned on the applicant supplying the required revised engineering and compliance documentation listed by the board’s professionals. The board carried the motion to approve with those conditions.
The board closed the public hearing on the application at the Jan. 27 meeting; the developer and the professionals must return any revised plans and compliance documents for final administrative review and sign‑offs.
