Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Oxford public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
9 issues in development with high priority
Colonnade Crossing expansion
MFM Development has three requests before the commission for the Colonnade Crossing area on Concordia Avenue — a final plat for Phase 6, design standard exceptions, and a new commercial lease space site plan. These could bring more homes and commercial space to the corridor.
7 Brew drive-thru traffic management
The 7 Brew drive-thru shares an entrance with Raising Cane's, and three exit lanes converge right where cars enter off Jackson Avenue. Commissioners worried about crashes and backups spilling onto the busy street.
Affordable Rental Housing Certification Program
A new voluntary program would give net-operating-income-based tax assessment to landlords who keep rents affordable, run by the Planning Department and Affordable Housing Commission. It's another tool aimed at adding affordable rental supply; a second reading and implementing resolution come later.
Baptist Hospital campus expansion
Two Baptist Memorial Health Care requests on Belk Boulevard — a retaining wall height variance and a site plan for Medical Office Building 2 — were pushed to a later meeting.
$125M student housing revenue bonds (West Row Project)
A public-private partnership will build roughly 850 beds of student housing and 450 parking spaces near Ole Miss, financed by up to $125 million in revenue bonds — no city debt involved, but the board's approval was required by law.
Lamar Project TIF bonds
The city will issue up to $2.9 million in tax increment financing bonds to repay the Lamar project developer for roads, the Molly Barr/Chickasaw roundabout, and sidewalks. Property tax revenue from the new development — with county participation — pays the bonds back over 15 years.
Highclere subdivision and housing affordability
A 124-lot single-family subdivision on Pat Patterson Parkway becomes the first project under the 2024 Housing Accelerator Overlay, aimed at easing Oxford's growth and affordability pressures. Lots meet all overlay dimensional requirements.
Bellavita special exception appeal (110 Crossview Drive)
Developer Andy Callicutt appealed the Planning Commission's denial of a special exception to raise four-bedroom units at the Bellavita development from 17% to about 45%. The developer argued total beds would stay under what's allowed with all three-bedroom units and traffic would use the new connector road; a motion to overturn was made and seconded and a voice vote taken.
Oxford Commons connectivity and traffic
A plat amendment paves the way for a future road linking the Oaks subdivision north into county land with roughly 93 planned homes. Staff and the planning commission wanted denial over traffic concerns, but the board approved with conditions requiring any new road to come back for approval.