It was close, but the answer was “no.”
Oxford Village voters Tuesday rejected the proposed sale of a 3,555-square-foot (0.08-acre) stretch of S. Mill St. by a margin of 78-73.
Of the village’s 2,372 registered voters, 151 residents (or 6.4 percent) cast a ballot in the special election paid for by the Oxford Community Development Authority (OCDA). Yesterday’s voter-turnout was double that of the village’s general election in March, in which 76 voters cast a ballot.
“I was glad the turnout was the size it was,” said village President Steve Allen.
As for the result of the election, Allen called it “disappointing” and said the village and OCDA are “just going to proceed with the parking plan,” referring to the concept plan to expand and improve the southeast downtown parking quadrant.
If voters had approved the proposal, the village would have vacated that portion of S. Mill St. and added the land to the adjoining parcels known as 32 and 36 E. Burdick St., both of which are owned by the OCDA. The OCDA plans to sell its parcels for commercial development and use the sale money to help finance the parking project.
The parking concept plan calls for S. Mill St. to be moved to the east and rerouted through the property known as 38 E. Burdick St., another OCDA-owned property.
Sam and Sandy Troutwine, who have lived at 42 E. Burdick St. for 23 years, were opposed to having the street moved directly next door to them.
The couple argued such a move would lower their property value and diminish their privacy.
“It makes me feel good that 50 percent (of the residents who voted) wanted to do something to help us,” Sam said after hearing the election results.
Sam said even his 93-year-old neighbor called a friend to take her to the polls.
“I thank everyone of them that took the time and effort to vote whether they voted ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ but especially the ones who supported the ‘no’ vote,” he said. “I feel exceptionally good about the way people turned out for it.”
“I just hope the village stands by what they said and what the voters said,” Troutwine added.
However, despite the vote in his favor, Troutwine said he’s still worried that S. Mill St. could still be moved next door to him based on literature mailed to village residents just prior to the election.
According to the July 2003 Village Voice: The Official Village of Oxford Community Newsletter, “If the proposal fails: The Village would be unable to sell this portion of Mill Street. The OCDA would most likely move ahead with its plan, including moving Mill St.”
This statement contradicts a public statement made by village President Steve Allen at the June 24 council meeting.
At that time, Allen said, “Ultimately, the decision of where Mill St. goes is in the hands of voters. Without an affirmative vote, the plan won’t happen.”
Troutwine said Allen repeated that statement when village officials met with him and his wife at Starbucks a few weeks ago to discuss the couple’s concerns about the possible street move.
After reading the statement in The Village Voice, Troutwine said, “I feel like they lied to us.”
“How many times are they (village officials) going to tell me different things?” he said. “You can only deceive people for so long.”
Of his June 24 statement, the village president said, “I was stating my opinion.”
Allen said “in theory, The Village Voice was correct” because the ballot proposal was “merely” for the land sale and, as was stated in the newsletter, “Government may move or close a street without the underlying property being vacated or sold.”
“The (parking) plan could proceed as originally drafted,” which means S. Mill St. could still be moved next door to the Troutwines, he said.
Besides being increasing the size of the OCDA parcels to make them “more attractive to prospective buyers,” village officials have stated the other reason to move Mill St. to the east is to “create a safer, more pedestrian-friendly parking lot and street system.”
However, Allen said whether or not the street will definitely be moved is not certain. “I’m the kind of person that listens to a vote,” he said. “If people say ‘no,’ we should probably listen to them.”
When asked whether he will vote as a councilman against moving S. Mill St., Allen replied, “I’ll have to gather more information before making a final determination. I have to see what our options are.”
If the village proceeds with plans to move S. Mill St. next door to him, Troutwine said he’s “willing to go into a legal battle.”