OXFORD, CT — Oxford's Planning and Zoning Commission is considering a proposed nine-month pause on certain major development applications, including multifamily housing and larger subdivisions, as a developer seeks approval for a 150-unit residential project on Oxford Road.
The proposed "Temporary and Limited Development Moratorium" was included in the commission's Aug. 11 public-hearing materials. If adopted, it would temporarily stop the town from accepting, reviewing, processing or approving certain new development applications during the moratorium period. Read the proposed moratorium here.
The proposal would apply to new multifamily developments, subdivisions or re-subdivisions creating five or more lots or dwelling units, planned residential developments, high-density mixed-use projects and some zone-change requests.
Town documents say the commission wants time to review Oxford's zoning regulations, road and sewer infrastructure, pedestrian network, development density and the town's 2018 Plan of Conservation and Development. The proposal also cites the August 2024 flooding that caused extensive damage and fatalities in Oxford.
The moratorium proposal notes that Oxford already has approved multifamily development, including 183 units at Oxford Greens, 174 units at Timberlake Apartments and 65 apartment/workforce-housing units at Quarry Walk.
Meanwhile, town planning materials list a separate application from B-Wizz LLC for a 150-unit residential development at 11 Oxford Road. The proposal includes 45 affordable "set-aside" units — 30 percent of the development — for 40 years under Connecticut's affordable-housing law. Read the 150-unit application agenda item here.
The applicant is also seeking to create an "Oxford Road Housing Opportunity Zone" and rezone about 14.95 acres of the 16.15-acre parcel, according to the town's filing.
The online town record did not yet include minutes or a vote from the Aug. 11 hearing, so it was not immediately clear whether the commission had adopted, changed or tabled the proposed moratorium. The town's Agenda Center lists another Planning and Zoning Commission meeting for Aug. 18.
The moratorium and the 150-unit application are separate matters. The town records reviewed do not state whether the proposed pause would affect that specific Oxford Road application.
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