A proposed land swap and two uncontested council seats will face Oxford Village voters when they head to the polls Monday, March 8.
Proposal A asks voters to give the village permission to convey a parcel of public property known as Edison Alley to the Oxford Bank Corporation in exchange for two parcels owned by the bank – a small one at the northeast corner of Broadway and Washington (M-24) streets and a large one on the eastern end of the bank’s property, stretching between Broadway and Stanton streets.
The existing Edison Alley, which stretches from Broadway to Stanton, currently divides the bank’s property into two separate parcels – one containing the main branch office and the other containing the finance center. The village alley runs straight through the middle of the bank’s parking area.
If Proposal A is approved, Edison Alley would be relocated to the east, behind the bank’s finance center, and transformed into a proper roadway (or street) that would be aligned with a re-located S. Mill St. to the north, part of the Oxford Community Development Authority’s proposed Southeast Parking Quadrant Improvement Plan.
This proposed new roadway would begin with two lanes at Stanton St. and gradually turn into a three-lane road (northbound, southbound left-turn and southbound right-turn) near Broadway St. Unlike the existing alley, the re-located alley would contain a sidewalk to make it safe for pedestrians.
The smaller corner parel obtained from the bank would be utilized by the village to create a larger turning radius for a proposed right-turn lane on Broadway St. for traffic exiting onto M-24. The intersection of Broadway and M-24 would also have a three-lane layout (eastbound, westbound left-turn and westbound right-turn).
In return for all this, Oxford Bank would receive the existing Edison Alley property, giving it a larger contiguous parcel, more usable for future development or expansion.
In the Feb. 4 issue of the Leader, Oxford Bank President Jeff Davidson said the bank has “agreed in concept” to the land swap with the village.
“We have no problem with the swap,” he said, noting the bank sees “no negative effect to us” and a “net positive effect for both (parties).”
Davidson told this reporter the swap “allows (the bank) better use of its property.”
“It gives us more flexibility” should the bank decide to “restructure our parking lot” or “expand” the drive-through are, “if we so desire,” Davidson said.
Village officials claim the proposed land swap would offer numerous benefits to the community.
One of those benefits is safer vehicular travel. Officials said there have been 30 vehicular accidents over the last three years in this area, mostly caused by motorists attempting to cross the existing alley from one side of the bank parking lot to the other.
This redesigned street system (the relocated alleyway and addition of a right-turn lane to Broadway St.) is expected to increase traffic volume through the intersection of Broadway and M-24, supporting the case for placing a traffic signal there.
Under the village’s proposal, the new Edison Alley would be a road (street), not an alley, therefore it would increae the village’s share of revenue from Act 51 taxes. Under Act 51, the village receives so much money per street mile from state gasoline and weight taxes to maintain its street system. Because the existing alley is not a proper street, it does not qualify to figure into those calculations.
In addition to Proposal A, incumbent village council members Dave Bailey and Renee Donovan are running unopposed for re-election. Each will serve a three-year term.