Sometimes a situation really can be win-win for everyone.
The Oxford Board of Education recently gave district administrators the go ahead to enter into easement agreements with Crosswinds Communities so that the development company, who is proposing to build condominiums next to the school, can enter the current middle school property to perform site work.
Crosswinds approached district officials for permission to grade the borders of the two properties at their own cost so that a smooth slope would be on the middle school’s north and south sides. The gentle slope will replace a 30-foot drop and retainer wall that would otherwise be there after both parties have completed their construction.
“We would just like to work out an easement for this,” Crosswinds representative Susan O’Neal said to the board.
In addition to the grading, Crosswinds would provide fencing and landscaping on their side only.
“This really is a win-win situation,” said David Griggs, project manager for Oxford Schools. “We will need to get on their property at some point anyway because of work we are doing on the school.”
“Not to mention, you’d be neighboring right next to a 30-foot drop otherwise.”
In addition, Crosswinds and the school district will be discussing the possibility of connecting the two properties drainage systems.
According to Assistant Superintendent Ron Franey, the idea is to connect drainage pipes from the middle school’s retention ponds to that of Crosswinds so that the excess water is transported across M-24 and can be used as irrigation for the golf course or held in reservoirs near the course.
However, no discussions have been held on who would pay for the new drainage system or if one is even feasible, said Franey.
“We’re working it out at the moment.”
Crosswinds Communities have turned in pre-application paperwork with Oxford Township officials proposing a 432 unit condominium development that will border the now Oxford Middle School on the west side. The new development will be called Terraces at Waterstone.
No additional plans or paperwork have been submitted to the township planning commission.