Section 5: Community Facilities Plan

Top quality community facilities and services have always been a hallmark of the City of Oakwood. The Plan promotes community facilities and services as important assets that can help attract new residents and small businesses. Community facilities and services are important parts of the community and they add significantly to the overall quality of life in the City.

The following community facilities and services are described below – the Oakwood City Schools, the Public Library, the City Building, Public Safety, Engineering and Public Works, the Historical Society, and Leisure Services. The Community Facilities Plan is illustrated in Figure 6.

It is important to emphasize that the Comprehensive Plan presents general policies and guidelines for community facilities. The Plan is not intended to preempt or substitute for the more detailed planning and programming which will be undertaken by the agencies and organizations that are responsible for each community facility.

Principles and Standards

Oakwood is well served by facilities and services and no major new public building projects are anticipated during the next few years, with the exception of a possible renovation and expansion of Wright Memorial Library. This possible renovation and expansion is being considered to meet current needs and accommodate potential growth. The primary emphasis during the next 10 to 15 years should be on enhancing existing sites and buildings as required, and on undertaking upgrades and replacements.

The City should continue to promote cooperation, interaction and collaboration among the various agencies and organizations that serve Oakwood, including Oakwood City Schools, Leisure Services, the Library, and other community facilities.
Community facilities should be compatible with surrounding uses and should enhance the character of the neighborhoods in which they are located. Sites should be attractively landscaped and screening and buffering should be provided if necessary. Traffic generated by community facilities should not adversely impact surrounding neighborhoods.
Adequate parking should be available at all community facility sites; however, it is recognized that site limitations make it impossible to provide all required parking. The City must continue to rely on on-street parking to supplement off-street parking.
The City should be attuned to the changing needs and requirements of local residents and businesses, and new facilities and services should be provided if they become necessary or desirable in the future.
New public facilities should be viewed as opportunities to create new civic landmarks within Oakwood. Where possible, new facilities should be located, designed and developed as focal points and “signature” projects within the City.

Public Schools

Schools are among the most important community facilities, especially in predominantly residential communities such as Oakwood. They not only provide educational services, but also play important recreational, cultural and social roles within the community.

The Oakwood school system is considered one of the City’s most important assets. The school system is one of the primary reasons young families with school-age children choose Oakwood as a place to live.