Plan Commission approves wastewater treatment building designs amid energy questions

Oshkosh Plan Commission voted Dec. 2 to approve the architectural design for two new wastewater treatment buildings at the city wastewater treatment plant, following a staff presentation and discussion about design consistency and energy considerations.

Staff said the project adds two buildings — a tertiary filtration unit and a UV disinfection equipment building — to an 11-acre treatment site on North Campbell Road. The proposed walls use tilt-up precast panels with a brick form liner finish intended to match the site's existing brick-faced buildings, and staff recommended approval, saying the facades would be harmonious with the facility.

Commissioners questioned whether institutional design standards exist for such municipal facilities and whether the project had considered solar panels. One commissioner said the city’s comprehensive energy plan recommended rooftop solar; staff and other presenters said the small ancillary buildings have many rooftop utilities that make on-roof solar less feasible, though larger roofs at the site could be considered in the future.

Council member Bulow supported the project’s technical merits, saying, “Cleaning water is important. That’s one of the basic functions that we must do.” Miss Davey said she would vote no, citing previously stated concerns about alternative energy opportunities and missed earlier opportunities to site solar where it would have been effective. The final roll call vote was 8–1 in favor of the staff recommendation.

The commission approved the architectural review with standard conditions and will forward the matter for any subsequent administrative approvals required for construction.