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Oxford Asks Voters to Rezone Town for Robinson Mill / Thompson Lake Development.

December 04, 2007 - OXFORD -- Selectmen in Oxford have called a special town meeting to enact "minor" changes to the town's comprehensive plan and zoning ordinances. Planning board Chairman John Palmer explained to citizens at a November 15 public hearing that the town had "got the cart before the horse a little bit" in its zeal to clear the way for redevelopment of the old Robinson Mill.

Located on the shores of Thompson Lake, the 150-year-old textile mill has been defunct since 2004. The Oxford Mill End Store on King Street is the last remnant of the once proud business. To help spur development, town officials would like to create a mill redevelopment zone that will make possible the changes necessary to generate revenue from a tax increment financing (TIF) plan. Town Manager Michael Chammings says 75 percent of the TIF money will go into the mill, making the project possible.
"That will allow the Robinson Mill to develop shops and residential areas," said Palmer.
"Hopefully we will get our street back," he added, referring to a part of the redevelopment plan that will restore a "lost" street that once ran between Pleasant and King Streets.

In February, John Robinson, President of Robinson Manufacturing, unveiled plans to redevelop the old textile mill. The master plan for the redevelopment project includes between six and 10 retail shops, a restaurant, a textile museum and 61 housing units.

"Interest from prospective condominium owners is very strong," said project manager Steve Westra, during an October meeting with town officials. "It comes from people currently living on Thompson Lake and from interested buyers from the Boston area looking for a four-season retreat. "As soon as all required approvals and financing are in place, you will see the project take shape as demolition occurs to reopen the village street," said Westra.

However, Palmer points out that because the zoning ordinance must comply with the comprehensive plan, changes must start there. In addition to the comprehensive plan update, voters will be asked to approve changes in the zoning ordinance to create the mill redevelopment zone as well as a "mixed use" zone along Routes 26 and 121.

According to Tom Kennison, head of the town's Economic Development Advisory Committee, large swaths of Route 26 are currently closed off to commercial development. Businesses that are there, he said, got in before being all but banned in 1994. when the existing comprehensive plan was adopted.

"We made the changes that we think will benefit the town in the future, for growth, and to put it in the right area." said Kennison. "We have to look to where our potential for future growth is going to be, and clearly that's along Route 26."

Kennison stressed to nervous property owners that the change, if adopted, does not mean Route 26 will "go all-commercial." The mixed use zone simply clears the way for commercial development. Kennison did point out that zoning changes on Route 121 are limited to the stretch east of Route 26, to the Mechanic Falls town line. The village area will not be put into mixed use, he said.

Selectmen will hold a special meeting at 6:30 on Monday. November 26. at the town office. The only item of business will be to sign the warrant for the December 6 town meeting. That meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Oxford Elementary School.

In addition to the comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance changes, voters will be asked to approve the Robinson Mill TIF, as well as a separate TIF for Lowe's. Chammings says all of the revenue from the Lowe's TIF will be rolled into expanding Oxford's network of sewer. A public hearing on the TIF will be held immediately prior to the special town meeting.

A final item on the special town meeting warrant will ask voters to approve changes to the bylaws for operating the Welchville dam. That update will make it possible to lower the water level of Hogan and Whitney ponds enough to place special mats used to control the spread of milfoil.

SOURCE: ADVERTISER-DEMOCRAT

DATE: 11-22-2007


Lakes: Thompson Lake
Regions: Sebago


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