Neenah council approves rezoning for 50‑unit workforce housing development

The Neenah Common Council on March 4, 2026 unanimously approved Ordinance 20‑26‑02 to rezone four parcels on West Peckham and two on South Commercial Street to a Planned Development District to allow a proposed three‑building, 50‑unit workforce housing development.

The vote followed a public hearing that drew residents, housing advocates and area stakeholders. Brad Schmidt, city planning staff, said the master development plan calls for three multifamily buildings with one‑ to three‑bedroom units, about 2,000 square feet of commercial space along Commercial Street, and buffering and landscaping standards beyond the underlying zoning. "This rezoning isn't approving the site plan — that will come later," Schmidt said, adding that the developer applied for state housing tax credits and that project plan review would begin if credits are awarded.

Housing advocates told the council the project addresses a documented shortage. Susan Garcia Franz of the Fox Cities Housing Coalition said Neenah — and the region — lack "missing middle" housing such as duplexes and townhomes and urged the council to support denser, attainable options so workers can live near jobs. Jennifer Sundstrom of the Realtors Association of Northeast Wisconsin said the community needs more rental options and that the city's housing study identified roughly 960 units needed over the next decade.

Some residents expressed concern about scale and neighborhood impacts. Jean Miller said the proposed buildings appeared large for the small lot and worried about loss of privacy and added traffic on Peckham and Henry streets. In response, planning staff and council members pointed to required buffering, a reduction in density from initial concepts and the project's design features intended to preserve green space.

Council members emphasized a regional need for workforce housing and tenant screening protections tied to the developer's financing. Alderman Lundrum noted that the item could be rezoned for other commercial uses if the council did not act, and Alderman Steiner said the project could provide a pathway for residents to save for a starter home. The motion to adopt Ordinance 20‑26‑02 was made by Alderman Steiner and seconded by Alderman Palmeau; the ordinance passed 7–0 on council voting devices.

What happens next: the developer has applied for state housing tax credits through the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA). If awarded, the developer will return for project plan approval, engineering and site plan review, with construction anticipated to begin in 2027 and completion targeted in 2028, according to planning staff.