Oxford Village voters will be asked for permission to sell a portion of Mill St. in an Aug. 5 special election.
Council May 27 approved ballot language requesting voter-permission to sell the portion of Mill St. located between village-owned properties at 32 and 36 E. Burdick St.
The portion in question measures 79 feet long and 45 wide, fronts E. Burdick St. and extends to the north/south split line of 32 and 36 E. Burdick St.
According to Debbie Schutt, former executive director of the Oxford Community Development Authority, the ballot proposal is part of the proposed southeast parking quadrant improvement and expansion plan.
Schutt told council the OCDA’s proposed plan is to move Mill St. to the east and extend and connect it to E. Burdick St. through the 38 E. Burdick St. property (which is also owned by the village).
The OCDA is examining the idea of aligning this new, more easternly Mill St. with Edison Alley to create a new roadway from approximately 38 E. Burdick St. to the Oxford Market Place Mall.
Moving Mill St. eastward will make for a ‘better? and ‘much safer? parking lot design, she told council.
‘So far, the feedback we’ve gotten is this is the route to go,? Schutt said, noting the OCDA adopted the idea after meeting with and receiving input from the village planning commission and council.
The old portion of Mill St. between 32 and 36 E. Burdick would then ‘have no use,? according to Schutt, so the OCDA has requested the village close and vacate it, Schutt said.
The vacated portion of Mill St. would then be divided between the two village-owned properties (which voters gave permission to sell in the March 10 election), adding half of the street to each parcel.
Schutt said enlarging the lot sizes gives them ‘better redevelopment potential.? The OCDA plans to sell both parcels for commercial development.
However, before Mill St. can be vacated and moved per the OCDA’s recommendation, council approval is required.
If this portion of Mill St. is vacated, it automatically becomes village property.
The village charter requires voter approval to sell municipal property worth more than $17,700.
The OCDA has agreed to pay for the special election costs, estimated to be approximately $1,500.
The village is also interested in selling two municipal parcels located between 18 and 64 Dayton St.
Council had authorized the village administration on May 13 to draft ballot language to place another land sale request on the Aug. 5 ballot, however, it was stated at the meeting that Manager Mark Slown was unable to complete the necessary paperwork in time to meet the deadline.
Pontiac resident Donald E. Tucker offered the village $44,000 for the two lots, with plans to build homes there for himself and possibly one of his sons.
Officials said the Dayton St. land sale request will have to wait until the regular March 2004 village election.
‘Unless the purchaser would like to pay the cost of a special election,? added village President Steve Allen.