Oshkosh board recommends updating parkland fees, considers raising land dedication to 2,000 sq. ft. per unit

The Oshkosh Parks Advisory Board on April 14 voted to recommend proposed updates to the city's fee-in-lieu-of-parkland-dedication and parkland dedication requirements, following a presentation from consultant John Cameron of Eller's Public Finance Advisors.

The recommendation would raise the city's fee-in-lieu formula and change the land dedication requirement to a uniform 2,000 square feet per residential unit regardless of single-family or multifamily status. The board's recommendation will be forwarded to the planning commission and then to the common council for final consideration.

Why it matters: Oshkosh's last formal update to the parkland dedication and fee rules dates to February 2003, and a recent comprehensive outdoor recreation plan shows the city currently provides about 4.55 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents versus the National Recreation and Park Association's standard of 6.25 to 10.5 acres per 1,000 residents. The consultant said the changes are intended to help the city address that acreage shortfall while aligning fees with current land values.

Details from the presentation: John Cameron said the existing ordinance requires 1,400 square feet of…