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Plan Commission approves rezoning of two outlots from park to low-medium density residential
Summary
The commission approved rezoning two outlots at Oakwoods Park from Parks and Open Space (P2) to Low-Medium Density Residential (R2) to transfer them to adjacent property owners; the city will convey the parcels at no cost, and new owners will assume property tax responsibility.
The Onalaska Plan Commission unanimously approved rezoning two small outlots in the southern portion of Oakwoods Park from Parks and Open Space (P2) to Low-Medium Density Residential (R2) to allow transfer to adjacent property owners.
Katie Aspenson, planning staff, said the outlots were created by a prior certified survey map in 2024 and that neighboring owners at 104 Oak Forest Drive and 111 Seventeenth Avenue South had made improvements on parkland over decades, including landscaping and retaining walls. "While city property is not subject to adverse possession, the city believes that in this very particular case, the hillside would be better served as private property belonging to the abutting property owners than the city," Aspenson said. She also noted that the La Crosse County Circuit Court previously approved an order to vacate a portion of the parkway parcel.
Commissioners asked whether the rest of Oakwoods Park would remain city-owned; Aspenson said the balance of the triangular park would remain in public ownership. Jan Brock asked whether the adjacent owners would purchase the outlots; Aspenson replied the city will transfer the parcels to the adjacent owners at no cost and that recipients would assume responsibility for property taxes after transfer. A motion to approve the rezoning with five conditions was made by Bill Lethen and seconded by Jim Benash; the motion carried unanimously.
