Oxford Today

The City of Oxford, Ohio, has engaged Preservation Forward to lead a comprehensive overhaul of its development regulations and historic preservation framework as part of the transformational "Oxford Today" initiative. Working under the direction and guidance of the Community Development Office and alongside colleagues at McKenna, Preservation Forward is serving as the historic preservation specialist to create Oxford's first-ever Historic Preservation Plan with a particular focus on the Mile Square area of this college town, home to Miami University. This multi-faceted project includes creating a citywide Unified Development Code (UDC) that consolidates existing Subdivision Regulations and Zoning Code into a single, coherent document, incorporating architectural typologies and consideration of architectural and cultural resources within the planning and zoning process. Additionally, Preservation Forward is establishing new Architectural Design Guidelines for the city's three local Historic Districts (Uptown and University). These integrated efforts aim to ensure that new development and adaptive reuse of historic structures align with community expectations while preserving Oxford's distinctive architectural heritage, providing clear standards for development that respects the city's historic character while accommodating contemporary needs.