commodate a combination of office, multi-family residential, open and recreation space, and business uses.
The Sugar Camp property is established as a Multi-Use Special Planning District, which gives the City maximum control over the specific type of uses to be located in the area, as well as other aspects of design and development. The area should be guided by an overall site plan to ensure the coordination of land-use areas, building sites, utilities, drainage facilities and open space systems.
In 1997, the City of Oakwood adopted a supplement to the 1989 Comprehensive Plan entitled Subarea Plan for NCR Sugar Camp and the Far Hills and Schantz Area. This Subarea Plan is retained as the principal guidance document for the Sugar Camp and Far Hills/Schantz area and is a supplement to the 2004 Comprehensive Plan. The following guidelines and recommendation should be considered in conjunction with the 1997 Subarea Plan.
Preferred Land-Uses
Multi-Family Uses. If Sugar Camp is redeveloped, multi-family residential uses would be a preferred use. This should include high-quality, owner-occupied multi-family residential units, which could be suitable for Oakwood seniors and empty nesters.
It is recommended that the City consider a somewhat higher density than is currently allowed, particularly as an incentive for the provision of special amenities and green space within the area. High-quality, mid-rise condominiums should be compatible with surrounding neighborhoods. The project should be carefully designed and developed, and should be consistent with the City’s other guidelines for the area.
Office Uses. If Sugar Camp is redeveloped, offices would also be a preferred use for the area. Corporate offices, general tenant office space, and office/research uses could be appropriate in this location, provided they do not adversely impact adjacent neighborhoods and are consistent with the City’s other guidelines for the area. Office uses might reuse some of Sugar Camp’s existing buildings.
Retail Uses. Because of the location, environmental and development characteristics of the area, retail would not be a preferred land use, except as a limited, complementary use within a larger residential, office or mixed-use project. Retail uses could be acceptable on the ground floor of selected buildings, provided they are secondary to either the office or residential development. Sugar Camp should not be developed as a free-standing retail center.
Open and Recreation Space. Because of the location and high-value characteristics of the Sugar Camp property, a public park or open space would not be an appropriate land use, except as a complementary use within a larger mixed-use project. A small park or recreation center to serve residents could represent an acceptable use within a larger mixed-use project.
Site Development Guidelines
It is important that the Sugar Camp property, including the vacant land at Far Hills and Schantz, be guided by area-wide design and development. The following guidelines would help ensure that building and site development are compatible with surrounding neighborhoods, enhance Oakwood’s image and character, and are consistent with the City’s overall goals for this portion of the community.
General Site Development
- The Sugar Camp property should be developed according to an overall site development plan to ensure the coordination of land use areas, building sites, traffic and parking, drainage facilities, and open spaces.