OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE OXFORD MAYOR AND COUNCIL
PUBLIC HEARING
MONDAY, July 6, 2020 – 7:00 PM
VIA TELECONFERENCE
PRESENT: David Eady, Mayor; Councilmembers: Jim Windham,
Jeff Wearing, Lynn Bohanan, Laura McCanless, Avis Williams, George Holt
Staff members present: City Manager Matt Pepper, City Clerk/Treasurer
Marcia Brooks, Associate Clerk Melissa Pratt, Asst. Public Works Supervisor Scottie
Croy, Police Chief Dave Harvey
OTHERS PRESENT: Art Vinson, Laurie Vinson, Alice McKnight,
Mike Ready, Laura Gafnea (Oxford College), Joseph Budd, Cheryl Budd, Tom
Spigolon (Covington News)
The hearing was called to order at 7:00 PM by the Hon. David
Eady, Mayor to hear a request for a variance at 903 Asbury Street. The request has been made by Art and Laurie
Vinson to allow a variance to the minimum side setback requirements as they
relate to an accessory building on their property to allow them to make improvements
to that building.
Art Vinson stated that they have been trying for several
years to figure out what to do with the historic shed on their lot to get it
into compliance but they have not been able to come up with anything. The building is four to five feet from the
property line, but the minimum setback requirement in City of Oxford ordinance
Section # 40-524(b) is ten feet. Section 40-714 of the City of Oxford municipal
code provides applicable criteria for a variance request. Of these, Mr. Vinson feels that subsection
(6) is most relevant to his circumstances, as explained in his supporting
documents.
Mr. Vinson’s submitted documents also include a letter of support from Dr. and Mrs. Budd, the adjacent property owners.
Mayor Eady asked if any City Council members have questions
for Mr. Vinson. James Windham asked what
Mr. Vinson plans to do with the building.
Mr. Vinson stated they plan to put electricity in it. Mr. Windham stated his property should be
grandfathered and questioned if this action is necessary. Mr. Vinson stated that the Planning
Commission advised them they cannot make any changes/ improvements to it. Mr. Windham stated as long as he is not
changing the footprint of the building, he does not have a problem with it, and
stated the City Council may need to look at some of those requirements.
No other questions were posed by the City Councilmembers. Several expressed support for the Vinsons’ request.
Mayor Eady opened the floor to questions/comments from the
audience. Joseph Budd spoke in favor of
the request. He and his wife are
neighbors of Mr. Vinson and has written a letter in support of the
request. He wanted to reiterate his
support in the meeting.
Respectfully Submitted,
Marcia Brooks
City Clerk/Treasurer