The Oshkosh City Common Council on Dec. 9 approved two zoning measures: Ordinance 25-643, a zone change for properties east of Compass Way and south of Meadow Park Drive, and Ordinance 25-644, text amendments to the city zoning code that, among other changes, allow certain 2.5-story houses to be treated as three stories for the purpose of finishing attic space.

The presiding officer said the plan commission recommended approval of the zone change, Ordinance 25-643, which the council adopted by roll call vote. The ordinance rezones specified parcels from Rural Holding District to Heavy Industrial District with a planned development overlay.

Councilor Billing, speaking about the zoning-text amendments in Ordinance 25-644, highlighted a change to allow what had counted as a "2½-story" house to be treated as a three-story structure so homeowners can finish more attic square footage. "The change to allow from a 2 and a half story house to a 3 story house...I think this is amazing," Billing said, adding it will help residents add living space without building outward or moving to the suburbs.

A member of staff noted the package is an incremental set of cleanups and that a comprehensive zoning rewrite is planned for next year. Planning Commission recommendations for both items were read into the record.

Both ordinances were moved, seconded and approved by unanimous roll call votes recorded as 6-0.

What happens next: the ordinances move forward as adopted; staff indicated further zoning work is planned next year as part of a larger rewrite of the code.