Plan Commission backs UW Oshkosh plan to demolish three dorms and add parking at 777 Algoma Boulevard
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Summary
The Plan Commission recommended approval of UW Oshkosh’s proposal to demolish three dormitory buildings and build a 41-space parking area (including ADA stalls) and supported a requested setback modification; UW planning director Chadwick Shaw cited declining enrollment as the rationale.
The Oshkosh Plan Commission on March 3 recommended approval of a general development plan and specific implementation plan that would allow the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh to demolish three dormitory buildings and create a new parking area on a roughly 16‑acre parcel at 777 Algoma Boulevard.
Planning staff said the redevelopment area is zoned institutional with a plan development overlay and a university transition overlay. The proposal would remove three dormitories and associated pavement, utilities and trees, and replace them with reconfigured access, sidewalks and a new parking lot of 41 uncovered spaces intended to serve students, faculty and visitors; the plan also provides for ADA‑compliant spaces. Staff supported a base standard modification (BSM) to reduce the front setback to 15 feet, noting existing pavement occupies that area and that the proposed landscaping plan meets code point requirements overall.
"With declining enrollment, we no longer have the need for these old dormitories," said Chadwick Shaw, identified at the podium as director of planning for University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. He said the university has consolidated residents into other dorms and aims to reduce overall building square footage to lower energy and maintenance costs; in the interim the cleared area would be green space except where the new parking lot is sited.
Staff noted the photometric and landscaping plans will be finalized in site plan review; staff recommended approval subject to the findings and conditions in the staff report. The commission moved and seconded the recommendation and approved it by roll-call vote, 9‑0.
Required code items to be addressed in later review include final landscaping details (to meet minimum tree and shrub point distributions) and site lighting plans. The staff report and conditions will accompany the item to Common Council for final consideration where applicable.
