The City of Oshkosh Plan Commission on May 20 recommended acquisition of a vacant parcel at the east end of Windsong Terrace to create a future street connection linking Mockingbird Way to Windsong Terrace and provide an additional collector connection for several subdivisions to the east. Staff said the move is intended to relieve traffic congestion and address access concerns raised by the Oshkosh Police and Fire Departments; the commission adopted the recommendation by a 7-0 vote.

Staff said the subject lot is approximately 224 feet deep by 260 feet wide and that a recorded CSM previously reserved the south 66 feet of the parcel for future right-of-way; although the reservation has no independent legal effect, staff said the prior owner was aware a street could extend east. Once acquired, staff said the city will draft a certified survey map (CSM) to dedicate right-of-way, then divide the remaining north portion of the parcel into three single-family lots. Staff said the right-of-way dedication will allow city and private utilities to be extended and will create a street connection from the existing Mockingbird Way through Windsong Terrace to Clearville Road.

Staff told the commission that residential development east of the subject site comprises several subdivisions with more than 500 single-family lots but currently is served by only two connections to collector streets. Staff said a forthcoming preliminary plat for Casey’s Meadows South would add more than 90 single-family lots east of the subject site, reinforcing the city’s need for an additional collector connection to relieve congestion and improve emergency access.

The staff presentation said the city has an accepted offer on the lot (the parcel was listed for sale and the city submitted an offer that was accepted). Staff recommended approval of the proposed acquisition; commissioners who spoke in favor said the additional connection would improve neighborhood access and emergency egress.

Clarifying details recorded by staff included the lot dimensions, the planned south 66-foot right-of-way dedication shown on the original CSM, an approximate future subdivision of the north portion into three single-family lots (staff estimated those lots would be roughly 63 to 64 feet wide), and that a street-name change for the extended segment of Windsong Terrace would be requested from the Common Council as plans progress. No members of the public spoke on this agenda item during the meeting.

Speakers at the item included planning staff and Plan Commission members who questioned and supported acquisition.