Planning Commission Recommends Approval for Large Student Housing Project

The Oxford Planning Commission voted on December 11, 2025 to recommend approval of The Finn, a proposed multifamily housing development on roughly 33.5 acres just north of the Faulkner Flatts subdivision on Old Taylor Road. The developer, Apartment Construction Specialists LLC with developer Corey Thames, submitted site plans that call for about 396 multifamily units composed primarily of two and three bedroom apartments, and 51 detached four bedroom units, alongside internal roads, parking and amenity areas intended for student and resident use.

Commission action was advisory, and the recommendation advances the proposal to the next stages of city review and any required permitting. City council consideration and further permitting steps will determine final approval, and additional public hearings or staff reviews could attach conditions or require adjustments to address infrastructure and traffic mitigation. The city approval process will be the decisive forum for neighbors and other stakeholders seeking changes.

Public comment at the planning hearing reflected a split in the community. Supporters emphasized the need for more rental housing near the university campus and the potential to relieve pressure on existing housing stock. Opponents raised concerns about increased traffic on Old Taylor Road, the capacity of water and sewer systems, and the scale of the development relative to the adjacent Faulkner Flatts neighborhood. Those concerns underscore longstanding town and university dynamics in Lafayette County where rapid enrollment driven housing demand often intersects with established residential areas.

Local impacts could be wide ranging. If built as proposed, The Finn would add several hundred bedrooms to the local rental market, which may affect student housing availability, rental prices and municipal tax revenues. At the same time, higher vehicular traffic and strain on public infrastructure are likely near term challenges unless the developer or city require specific mitigation measures. The project also raises questions about compatibility with neighborhood character and long term planning for growth around the university.

As the proposal proceeds to city council and permitting, Lafayette County residents will have additional opportunities to review plans and submit input. The final outcome will shape housing supply and neighborhood life adjacent to campus for years to come.