Redevelopment Authority approves minimum housing specs for RDA infill lots after debate

The Redevelopment Authority of Oshkosh on a recorded vote approved Resolution 25-06, adopting minimum housing specifications for city-owned infill lots intended to set baseline expectations for future development.

The resolution, presented by RDA staff member Hannah, lays out a short “intention” page plus more detailed specifications for infill lots the authority owns. Hannah told the authority the guidance came from a housing study and a longer “housing book” and was pared down so it would be usable by contractors and prospective buyers. “We wanted the the main idea of it to be met, but we recognize that we may have to flex things a little bit to make things work with some of the lots,” Hannah said, and noted staff and local contractors reviewed the draft.

Supporters said the document gives potential buyers and small-scale builders clearer expectations and helps the city pursue higher-quality infill development on RDA lots that have sometimes produced inconsistent results. “If they look at this and they say, basement's a no-go for me, then I don't want them to wait until they get 20 pages in to find it,” Hannah said, describing the purpose of the short intention page.

Opponents raised concerns that the specs create an extra approval layer above existing building codes. One member asked, “This seems like an additional thing above and beyond our codes,” arguing the city’s code already exists to ensure safety. Hannah and other members responded the standards are intended as minimums and that the document includes a staff-discretion clause so unusual lot conditions would not block development.

The specifications include a baseline expectation that a home provide a basement “at least minimum half of the square footage of the first floor” unless lot conditions make that impractical; language calling for garages and building massing to “match the feel of the neighborhood;” references to meeting applicable building and zoning codes (noted in the draft as “per UDC or any building code”); and flexibility allowing staff to exercise discretion for irregular lots.

Board members suggested further edits: add code citations where relevant, make the intention language more prominent, and consider annual review. Hannah said she planned to add code references and bring the document back for periodic review if needed.

After debate the authority called the question and took a roll call. The vote as recorded in the meeting transcript shows: Kyle Belkurali — Aye; Vasquez — Nay; Sherman — Aye; Walter — Aye; Member R — Aye. The motion carried.

Hannah said staff will present the housing specifications up front to prospective buyers and that staff discretion will handle cases where strict compliance would be infeasible. The authority directed staff to add code references and to consider an annual review schedule for the document.

The approval applies to RDA-owned infill lots and is intended to be used when the RDA solicits offers to purchase or considers terms for the sale or development of those lots. Hannah said the specs are intended to be minimums; builders may exceed them.