Oxford Approves 9-Month Development Moratorium

OXFORD, CT — Oxford has approved a nine-month moratorium on certain development applications, giving the town time to review its zoning rules, infrastructure and growing traffic concerns.

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the moratorium 5-1 following an Aug. 11 public hearing. It took effect the following day.

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Patch previously reported that the commission was considering the pause as a developer prepared to bring forward a 150-unit housing proposal on Oxford Road. Minutes from the hearing, which were posted later, confirm that the moratorium passed.

The temporary rules prevent the town from accepting, processing or approving covered applications during the nine-month period. They apply to multifamily housing, subdivisions creating five or more lots or homes, planned residential developments, certain zone changes and some commercial or mixed-use projects requiring special exceptions.

Accessory apartments and subdivisions involving four or fewer homes are exempt.

Commission Chairman Daniel Wall said Route 67 was the town's biggest concern. Officials plan to examine traffic, sewer capacity, roads, pedestrian connections, flood risks and whether Oxford's existing zoning regulations still match the town's needs.

The commission may end the moratorium early or extend it if members determine that more time is needed.

The 150-unit Little River Apartments proposal at 11 Oxford Road was filed before the moratorium took effect. An attorney representing the developer argued that the application is protected under state law and cannot be stopped by a local moratorium because it was filed under Connecticut's affordable-housing statute.

Public hearings on the three-part housing application are scheduled for Sept. 15.

Commissioner Sara Locke cast the lone vote against the moratorium, according to the meeting minutes.

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