Letter to Editor: Annexation – the Non-Issue in Oxford

“Annexation” is a word that around Oxford raises antennae – visions of the Lakeside development in Trappe and the original proposal to annex Morgan’s Point. Signs around town would lead you to believe that large scale development through annexation is a threat to Oxford.

Josh Coder recently sent out a “newsletter…On Annexation” followed up by his “Annexation Pledge.” It included an out-of-date map from November 13, 2012. In a desperate attempt to salvage one of his key “issues”, he raised the specter of the Lakeside development in Trappe. Misleading at best.

Let me be clear. I am against annexation, except for very limited cases (discussed below).

So, without getting too far into the weeds, why don’t we educate ourselves a bit about the issue rather than relying on a single word on a yard sign and out-of-date information.

Annexation is governed by Chapter 14 of the Oxford Town Code.

Section 14.1 Principles. The following principles shall govern any proposed annexation:

E. “……the proposed uses of the land to be annexed must be consistent with the applicable provisions of Oxford’s Comprehensive Plan,…..”

Section 14.2 Applicable Law. The requirements of this Chapter are in addition to any other provision of this Code, the Town Charter and of the Annotated Code of Maryland which govern annexation.

Section 14.8 Required Findings. To act favorably upon a petition, the Town Commissioners must find:

B. The annexation is in conformance with the Oxford and Talbot County Comprehensive Plans.

You will note that any annexation requires that it be in conformance with the Oxford Comprehensive Plan. Why is this important? Because last year, Chairman Norm Bell and the Oxford Planning Commission began the required review of the Oxford Comprehensive Plan. The initial focus was on designation of Future Growth Areas for extension of Water and Sewer Services through Annexation.

The Oxford Planning Commission met during the Spring of 2023 and developed 4 separate maps. In May 2023, the Planning Commission held an open house to present the 4 maps and their recommended option to the public and solicit public comment. The public overwhelmingly approved what was known as Map 4 (See Below), the Planning Commission’s preferred option. This option provides for no annexation, except for existing homes along Langs Landing and the tip of Bachelors Point that may seek annexation due to failed or failing septic systems. On June 29th the Planning Commission held a public workshop to consider the public comments, approved Map 4, and forwarded it to the town Commissioners for approval. I do not believe Mr. Coder participated in the public workshop. The Oxford Commissioners unanimously approved the Oxford Water and Sewer Tier Map as part of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan.

Under Norm Bell’s leadership the Oxford Planning Commission proposed and the Town Commissioners approved a change to the Oxford Comprehensive Plan to prohibit any annexation of property into Oxford. The only exception is for the few existing homes, and then only upon application of the individual homeowner and approval by the Commissioners.

Annexation is a non issue.

At the Oxford Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, May 28, the Commissioners unanimously confirmed that annexation is not an issue in Oxford because of the clear provisions of the Oxford Comprehensive Plan and the new Water and Sewer Tier Map.

The sad truth is, the League of Women Voters live candidate Forum was declined by Mr. Coder. This would have been an opportunity for each candidate to answer the questions of Oxford citizens regarding all kinds of issues, including things like annexation.

 

Dick Deerin
Oxford