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Plan Commission tables 32-unit Bowen Street apartment proposal to Oct. 15 after site concerns
Summary
Commissioners tabled a general development plan for a 2.26-acre, 32-unit multifamily project at Bowen Street to the Oct. 15 meeting, citing inadequate driveway aprons, the placement of the recreation area and other site-plan issues; the motion carried 5-1.
The City of Oshkosh Plan Commission on Sept. 17 voted 5-1 to table a general development plan for a proposed 32-unit apartment project at the southwest corner of East Murdoch Avenue and Bowen Street until the Oct. 15 meeting, saying the applicant should return to address site-layout and driveway concerns.
Staff told the commission the 2.26-acre site, owned by Thomas Rouch and proposed by Mach 4 Engineering and Surveying LLC, would include two 18-unit buildings and one 16-unit building and proposes a reduced rear setback to 18.7 feet. Staff recommended approval, noting the project meets density and parking requirements and proposes 2,100 square feet of recreational area where code calculations required about 1,800 square feet.
Commissioners who opposed immediate approval raised operational and safety issues that they said require more detail. "The driveway access is already there... they lack adequate space... you'll see the patches in the driveways. That's where giant potholes appear," said Miss Propp, who identified the area as her neighborhood and urged the applicant to return with a plan to "redo the improve the driveways." She cautioned the existing aprons "will not be able to withstand the apartment traffic."
Other commissioners said they supported the land use in concept but questioned specific layout choices, the location of the small recreation area near a busy intersection and whether the December workshop review had been sufficient. Commissioners discussed procedural options, noting a general development plan (GDP) approves concept layout and that any significant changes would require an amended GDP at SIP review.
Commissioner (speaker 7) moved to table the item to the Oct. 15 commission meeting; the motion was seconded by the commissioner identified as speaker 3. On roll call, Mister Galvan, Miss Davey, Mister Lowenstein, Mister Bowen and Miss Prowl voted aye; Chairman Perry voted no. The motion to table carried, 5-1.
Next steps: staff will relay tonight's comments to the applicant; the commission expects the applicant or a representative to appear on Oct. 15 with more detailed SIP-level responses to driveway, access and recreation-area concerns.
