actions to address property maintenance matters. These annual inspections are supplemented by the city’s rental unit inspection program, which ensures code compliance with each change of tenant.

b. The Oakwood Public Safety Department conducts annual fire inspections at all commercial properties to assist property owners in taking steps to protect buildings from potential fire risks.

3. Regularly review customer and employee parking within Oakwood’s commercial areas and consider improvements where appropriate.

a. In 2008, the city completed a thorough analysis of parking spaces available in the Commercial Business District along Far Hills Avenue. The study resulted in a report that provided recommendations on possible parking enhancements. In 2007, the city purchased the 4-unit apartment building at 22 Orchard Drive and in 2008 the city demolished the apartment and constructed a 34-space public parking lot to serve area businesses. In 2013, the Orchard Drive parking lot became the home of the Oakwood Farmers’ Market. The market is open every Saturday between May and October and is another very well received Oakwood amenity.

b. In 2010, the city purchased the 35-space parking lot behind the Oakwood Club and maintains it as a public parking lot to serve area businesses. In 2007, the city purchased the 4-unit apartment building at 19-25 Wonderly Avenue. This building is intended to be demolished and the property converted to another parking lot, likely in conjunction with the redevelopment of the commercial property at 2600 Far Hills. The lot will serve area businesses, in addition to the commercial property at 2600 Far Hills.

c. The city continues to maintain the 26 diagonal on-street public parking spaces on Hillview Avenue between W. Peach Orchard Road and Alpine Lane. These spaces support businesses in the northwest corner of the Far Hills Business District. In 2009, the city purchased additional land adjacent to the city-owned public parking lot located north of the Park Avenue businesses. This purchase provided for public access to the parking lot from the alley along the east side of the businesses. That lot provides parking for 31 vehicles.

4. Seek ways to enhance the pedestrian scale and orientation of Oakwood’s commercial areas.

a. The city continues to maintain the community as walkable and pedestrian-friendly. Decades ago, the city constructed a comprehensive network of sidewalks in the commercial and residential areas of the city. Each year, the city completes an inspection of roughly 25% of the public sidewalks and makes repairs and improvements wherever necessary.

b. In 2004, the city installed a series of benches throughout the Far Hills Avenue Business District to enhance the pedestrian character, and also completed other streetscape improvements. In 2006, the city installed a signalized pedestrian crossing at Far Hills Avenue and Orchard Drive. This signalized crossing provides for safe on-foot passage between the east and west sides of the business district, helping to connect the two.