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Plan Commission lays over comp plan map amendment for 1705 Oshkosh Avenue after neighbors raise concerns
Summary
The commission voted to lay over a proposed comprehensive land-use amendment and rezoning request for 1705 Oshkosh Avenue until the applicant can appear and address neighborhood questions, after multiple neighbors raised concerns about traffic, lighting, property values and potential future commercial conversion.
The City of Oshkosh Plan Commission on Jan. 7 voted to lay over a proposed comprehensive land-use map amendment and rezoning request for 1705 Oshkosh Avenue until the applicant can attend a future meeting and address neighbors’ concerns.
The applicant, Roloc LLC, sought to change the property’s future land use designation from light-density residential to neighborhood commercial so the Victorian house could be used for low-intensity indoor commercial uses (office suites, professional services). Planning staff said the request is consistent with neighboring commercial designations and recommended approval. The plan commission previously discussed related parcels during the comprehensive-plan update the last 18 months and staff noted corner properties on commercial corridors commonly carry neighborhood commercial designations.
Multiple neighbors spoke in opposition or with concerns: they raised questions about property taxes, resale value, a request for privacy fencing, rodent issues connected to an accessory building, lighting and traffic, and the possibility the owner might try to rezone additional properties on the south side of Oshkosh Avenue. Robert Fox, a long-time nearby resident, said he was told at an earlier meeting the city intended to keep the south side residential as a buffer and asked why that policy is changing. Catherine Jackson, who shares a property line with the site, said a parking lot could end up six feet from her bedroom window and urged the commission to “take a hard look.”
Commissioners discussed procedural next steps and zoning controls: staff noted that if rezoned the site would likely be reviewed as a plan development (PD) overlay requiring buffering, fencing, landscaping and lighting controls; commissioners discussed TIF funds available for façade improvements on the residential side of Oshkosh Avenue. Several commissioners said they wanted the applicant present to answer questions and to allow fuller neighborhood engagement.
The commission voted to lay over the item to the Jan. 21 Plan Commission meeting; members voted aye on the layover motion (roll call recorded as 6 ayes). The layover pauses action before the item would go to Common Council and allows the applicant to return with additional information and neighborhood engagement.
