Aldermen Vote to Allow Front-Seat Passengers in Taxis

Oxford’s Board of Aldermen met Tuesday, with Mayor Pat Patterson on vacation in Alaska and Ulysses Howell serving as mayor pro tem.
Aldermen unanimously approved the revisions to the taxi ordinance with an amendment that allows passengers to ride in the front seat of the cab. Alderman Jay Hughes said with the cameras being required to add increased security, passengers and drivers alike will be safer.
The board also voted to prohibit the commercial use of rooftops, such as a rooftop bar, on buildings more than 50 years old. The ordinance was once enforced, but was omitted a few years ago when some changes were made to various statutes.
Aldermen also had initial discussions about ordinances for bed and breakfasts as well as franchise architecture on the Square and downtown district.
Some proposed changes to the bed and breakfast ordinance include that only overnight guests be served a meal, only breakfast may be served, and no bed and breakfast may be within half a mile of another. Aldermen also are considering changing an ordinance to prohibit franchise architecture in the downtown district, such as the “golden arches” of McDonald’s.
Public comments will be accepted on both matters at the Sept. 2 board meeting.
The meeting was recessed until 1 p.m. Tuesday for a budget hearing for the 2014-15 fiscal year.
-Amelia Camurati is associate editor for HottyToddy.com and can be reached at amelia.camurati@hottytoddy.com.