The Comprehensive Plan sets forth an agreed-upon “road map” for community improvement and development within the City of Oakwood during the next 10 to 15 year period. It is the product of considerable effort on the part of the Comprehensive Planning Committee, City staff, the City Council, the Planning Commission, and the Oakwood community.
Several next steps that should be undertaken to begin the process of Plan implementation include:
Adopt and Use the Plan on a Day-to-Day Basis
The Comprehensive Plan should become Oakwood’s official policy guide for improvement and development. It is essential that the Plan be adopted by the City Council.
After adoption, the Plan should be used by boards, commissions, and staff to review and evaluate all proposals for improvement and development within the community in the years ahead.
Review and Update the Zoning Ordinance
Zoning is one of the most common regulatory measures used by governmental units to implement planning policies. Following adoption of the Comprehensive Plan, the City should undertake a review of the Zoning Ordinance to ensure that it supports and complements the new Plan. Since the entire Ordinance was updated in 2000, significant changes are not anticipated.
Oakwood has a number of other codes and ordinances that govern land and building development, including the Subdivision Regulations, Property Maintenance Code, Business District Design Guidelines, and Building Code. All of these codes should be reviewed and updated as needed.
Promote Cooperation and Participation
City of Oakwood officials should assume the leadership role in implementing the new Comprehensive Plan. The City officials should carry out the administrative actions and the public improvement projects called for in the Plan.
In order for the Comprehensive Plan to be successful, it must be based on a strong partnership between the City, other public agencies, the local business community, various neighborhood groups and organizations, and the private sector.
The City should be the leader in promoting the cooperation and collaboration needed to implement the new Comprehensive Plan. The City’s “partners” should include:
- Local agencies and service districts, such as the Oakwood City Schools, the Library Board, the Historical Society, Oakwood Preservation Trust, the Post Office, etc.
- Other governmental and quasi-governmental organizations, such as the Ohio Department of Transportation, the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission, the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority, the City of Dayton, and the City of Kettering.
- Local institutions, such as the various churches and religious organizations within Oakwood, and the University of Dayton.
- The Kettering Moraine Oakwood Chamber of Commerce, which plays an important role in marketing and promoting the community, and in organizing improvement efforts within the various commercial and business areas.
- Local banks and financial institutions, which can provide assistance in upgrading existing properties and facilitating desirable new development.