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Oshkosh council directs staff to review process for removing planned Bay Street sidewalks after residents object
Summary
After residents and several council members said sidewalks on Bay Street would not make sense, the council asked staff to review the procedure to remove sidewalk work from a scheduled reconstruction project and return with a procedural path.
The Oshkosh Common Council discussed whether to proceed with a previously authorized sidewalk construction project on Bay Street between Bayshore Drive and the Fox River and directed city staff to review the procedural steps needed to remove the sidewalks from the current reconstruction plan.
Council member Nichols said the issue is personal and practical, recounting a prior neighborhood where council voted to forgo sidewalks after a resident petition. "I'll be recommending, and I know we're not taking a vote right now, but that we do not require sidewalks in this instance," Nichols said, urging that residents determine whether sidewalks make sense for their streets.
Council members Flom, Larson, Bulow and Stevenson agreed that Bay Street's short, dead-end character and nearby water access make full sidewalks unnecessary and questioned charging adjacent property owners for a feature they did not request. Director Rabe and other staff explained the city's complete streets policy calls for full reconstruction (curbs, gutters, sidewalks, ADA ramps) when streets are reconstructed, but staff acknowledged there may be cases where exceptions make sense.
City staff and council discussed encroachment agreements that will need attention regardless of the sidewalk decision and noted Department of Natural Resources considerations for water access. The council asked staff to identify the proper procedural steps and bring back an item at a subsequent meeting that would remove Bay Street sidewalks from the current capital improvement project, if legally and procedurally appropriate. Multiple council members indicated assent for staff to return with that procedural option; staff said they would work with city legal and bring a resolution or other formal paperwork back to council.
