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Oxford council votes to send removal of three‑unit Mile Square restriction to voters
Summary
After extended debate about housing, zoning and community character, council adopted an ordinance to place a ballot measure on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot to remove the three‑dwelling‑unit prohibition in the Mile Square; one council member voted no.
Council voted to place a charter amendment before voters that would remove the existing prohibition on three‑dwelling‑unit development in Oxford's Mile Square area.
Mister Elliott, reporting out the Charter Review Commission's work, said the three‑unit prohibition was split out as a separate ballot item because it was expected to be the most controversial. Public commenters urged caution: Janice Dutton told council that removing the restriction could lead to student‑oriented development rather than affordable housing and that ballot language might not be sufficient to inform voters.
Council members debated competing concerns: several argued restrictive zoning has contributed to the housing shortage and that removing the prohibition could increase housing supply; others warned the charter is a blunt instrument for land‑use policy, could be exploited by developers and that voters may not fully understand the change. After discussion, the council conducted a roll‑call vote; the ordinance to submit the amendment to the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot was adopted with a majority in favor and one recorded 'no.' The council also agreed to publish the affected charter language on the city website and include affected text in the council packet so voters can see exact changes before the election.
