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Request turned down for offices at historic Oxford home

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By Meagan Engle, Staff Writer 12:22 PM Wednesday, March 10, 2010

OXFORD — Planning commission turned down a request to allow office space in a historic home at 5990 Contreras Road.

Twelve people, mostly from the neighborhood around the house, spoke against rezoning the house to allow office space at a meeting Tuesday, March 9. They cited concern over more people in the city wanting to convert their homes to offices, worry about increased traffic in the area, noise and what kind of businesses would move in.

The homeowners who requested the change said it would allow them extra income potential to maintain the century-old home.

“We love this house and make this request as a way to preserve this stately property,” said homeowner Connie McCarthy, who argued the three-story house is unique in the neighborhood because of its size, land and architecture.

“We believe this house would be an asset to the city as a mixed use building,” she said.

Oxford City Councilman John Harman was the only member of planning commission to vote to allow the request to move forward.

Other planning commissioners said they could not see a compelling reason to allow the change.

“I’m afraid if we do spot zone it, there’s no guarantee we will maintain the house,” said Susan Kay. “I’m afraid I’m looking far enough forward to say what happens then if we’ve got that changed zoning in one spot.

“We don’t know what the pitfalls are going to be,” she said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 523-4139 or mengle@coxohio.com.

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