The City of Oshkosh Plan Commission on May 20 approved a preliminary plat for Farmington Estates, a proposed single-family subdivision on an 11.169-acre parcel east of the eastern termini of Farmington Avenue and Christian Drive. The City of Oshkosh is the owner and applicant, and the commission voted 7-0 to adopt the staff findings and recommendations.

Staff told the commission the proposal would divide the combined tract into 31 single-family lots, three outlots and right-of-way dedications. The development would result in about 2.78 units per acre, which staff characterized as a low density compared with the SR-5 zoning district maximum of roughly five units per acre. Staff said lot widths would generally range from 60 to 75 feet for interior lots and 81 to 92 feet for corner lots; staff said at least one proposed lot would have an area of just over 14,000 square feet.

The commission was told the city purchased the two vacant tracts as part of efforts generated by A Place in Oshkosh, the city’s 2022 housing needs assessment and strategy, which identified shortages of affordable housing. Staff said the plat design responds to neighborhood comments received earlier this year: after residents complained proposed lots were too narrow, the city revised the plat to increase minimum lot widths to 60 feet to align with nearby subdivisions.

The plat includes a 0.8-acre outlot proposed for dedication to the city as a neighborhood park; staff said the city’s outdoor recreation plan identifies a lack of park service in the area. Two additional outlots would be used for stormwater management. Staff said the city’s police and fire departments reviewed the plan and indicated no concerns about service to the proposed development. The Oshkosh Area School District was notified and did not submit concerns, staff said.

Staff told the commission the city will submit a final plat after preliminary approval; the city expects to begin utility construction in late 2025. Staff recommended approval of the preliminary plat, and the commission adopted the recommendation by roll call vote, 7-0.

Clarifying details noted in the staff presentation included: the combined site area (11.169 acres); the proposed lot-count (31 residential lots); minimum interior lot width (60 feet); the proposed park outlot size (0.8 acre); proposed new or extended rights-of-way (extensions to Farmington Avenue and Christian Drive and a new north–south connecting street approximately 300 feet long); and a 30-foot easement along a ditch on the east property line that would limit buildable area on an adjacent lot. Staff said the city will solicit requests for proposals from builders after preliminary and final plat steps, but that the city’s immediate construction program is prioritizing Washington School work and an RFP timeline was not confirmed.

Speakers at the item included planning staff who presented the report and commission members who asked technical questions about addressing, post office notification, and lot-use details. No members of the public spoke during the public comment period on this item.

The commission adopted the staff findings and recommendations, with a recorded outcome of 7-0 in favor.