By Betsy Brewer Brantner
Contributing Writer

Oxford Borough officials began the process of updating the borough’s Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SLDO) in February of 2023. The results of more than two years of work finally went to the Oxford Borough Council on October 27. At that meeting, the SLDO was approved to go before the Chester County Planning Commission for their Act 247 Review. 

Under the Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247), any proposed subdivision, land development proposal or ordinance revision is to be submitted to the county Planning Commission for advisory review.

At the next council meeting, borough officials will review a motion to advertise that ordinance and, if possible, the ordinance can be officially adopted at a meeting in December.

Borough Manager Pauline Garcia-Allen reminded council that the ordinance is a “living, breathing ordinance” and, as such, may still have updates in the future.

Oxford Borough received a $100,000 Transportation and Community Development Initiative (TCDI) Grant from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) to hire a consultant to prepare the plan.

Colliers and FHI Studio, the consultant the borough worked with, had the task of preparing new land development and zoning regulations and a zoning map. The goals of these included the following:

• Helps achieve the goals, objectives, and action items of the borough's new Comprehensive Plan;
• Encourages infill development and a mix of density and land uses;
• Considers historic preservation and promotes development and redevelopment in accordance with the borough’s historic character;
• Ensures new development is compatible with the borough's traditional development pattern;
• Maintains and improves walkability in the borough;
• Accommodates a variety of housing types with a focus on attainable housing;
• Prioritizes transportation alternatives and provides for the integration of a multi-modal transportation network into the fabric of the borough's traditional settlement pattern.

The SLDO and zoning map update will be a critical step toward achieving Oxford’s vision of a safe, creative, and inclusive community, with a strong and diverse economy that is balanced by a desire to preserve the community’s unique character, resources, and charm.

Garcia-Allen explained, “DVRPC wanted to better position the borough through the growth process. We kept it in line with the Comprehensive Plan. We wanted to ensure that redevelopment preserves the history of the borough. We wanted the ordinance and maps to be more user-friendly.”

She explained that they wanted to focus on affordable housing and offices. They wanted the ordinance to be more user-friendly which would include pictures and designs.

“We asked what we wanted the town to look like in the future,” Garcia-Allen explained. “We wanted to redefine the districts and focus on what it could be if an opportunity arose.” And the “we” was the community, which was brought in by surveys and numerous public meetings. There was a key focus on the town center and on local commerce and light-industrial uses.

There were some areas added to the BID (Business Infrastructure District) and a discussion of the housing density, specifically some of the very deep lots. Accessory dwelling units were also allowed to foster more housing options which would enable people to stay in their home as they age, while being respectful of the surrounding neighborhood. The idea is to foster a community for people that want to visit. There are no hotels so there are options for short-term rentals while being mindful of the character of the neighborhood.

One regulation change would allow chickens and bees to be kept in some areas of the borough, with restrictions as to lot size and set-backs.

A question did come up regarding HOA’s and the borough solicitor did confirm those restrictions could not be overwritten by borough law.

Copies of the draft SLDO revisions and maps are available at the Borough office.