Neenah — The City of Neenah Common Council on July 16 approved the final plat for the Courtside Fields subdivision, a 31-lot development on the former Shattuck School site, by an 8-0 vote.

City Development Director Nye told the council the proposal creates 31 privately owned lots on both sides of Lawton and requires removal of the athletic bleachers and track on the site before development on that portion may proceed. The vote followed a request to remove the item from the consent agenda for discussion.

The plat creates buildable lots on land that was formerly athletic fields south of the Shattuck School between Reed and Elm streets; the developer said houses will be sized to match the neighborhood and that the project could add significant tax base.

The council approved the final plat after Alderman Ellis moved the item and Alderman Paul Noe seconded. The motion passed 8 to 0.

Discussion and details

Director Nye told the council that the proposal had been presented as a preliminary plat in May and that the developer must satisfy city requirements, escrow deposits and municipal-code standards before final recordation. "This is for a 31 lot development on the former Shattuck School site," Director Nye said.

Developer Omar Sheikh answered council questions about house sizes and said, "There isn't a minimum size right now, but we're looking to ... be a minimum of 1,400 square feet." Sheikh said he was working with builders to set minimum and maximum sizes so new homes fit the established neighborhood.

Alderman Paul Noe said he estimated the buildout could represent more than $10 million in new taxable value once homes are built. Public-works discussion also covered a regional stormwater pond tied to the development. Director Kaiser said the pond is designed by Veil Engineering and deferred to the city attorney on the timing of the formal property transfer for the pond, saying the city will not begin work on the pond until the transfer is complete. Attorney Rashid was identified as the city attorney referenced for transfer timing.

Council members and staff said home construction and pond work will proceed concurrently and require coordination between the developer and the city.

Clarifying details and conditions

- Lots created: 31 (final plat).
- Minimum house size under consideration: developer said likely a minimum of about 1,400 square feet; council and staff said final minimum/maximum sizes will be set as part of the development requirements.
- Developer responsibilities before building on the southern portion: remove bleachers and track.
- Stormwater pond: design work cited as by Veil Engineering; formal transfer timing was deferred to City Attorney Rashid and must occur before the city undertakes work on the property.
- Vote: motion passed 8–0 (no recorded no/abstain votes).

What the council acted on and what remains

The council approved the final plat tonight; details such as the development agreement implementation, required escrows, construction phasing and the specific house-size standards will be finalized through the development agreement and public-works review. Staff said the city will coordinate pond construction and home construction so both can proceed but did not provide a specific construction schedule.

Ending

The Courtside Fields final plat was approved unanimously. Additional administrative steps — escrows, development-agreement conditions and the formal property transfer for the stormwater pond — remain before site work and home construction proceed.