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Community Development director outlines zoning rewrite, housing changes and a community benefit scorecard for 2026
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Summary
Community Development Director Sarah Rutkowski told the Common Council the department plans a full zoning code rewrite, sustainability plan update, housing program adjustments, a community benefit scorecard for economic assistance, and implementation steps tied to OpenGov software.
Sarah Rutkowski, Oshkosh's community development director, gave new and returning council members a brief orientation to the department's structure and 2026 priorities and timelines.
Rutkowski said community development now comprises four core divisions—planning, building inspections, assessor, and economic development—and emphasized public participation in a major zoning code rewrite intended to make the code more readable and usable for residents. She said the planning division will also work on a sustainability plan update and stronger ties with neighborhood associations.
On housing and economic supports, Rutkowski described a community benefit scorecard to target city assistance to downtown and small-business priorities and noted upcoming housing program adjustments aimed at closing gaps that leave some households ineligible for assistance yet unable to access traditional lending. She said several TIDs (tax increment districts) will be closed in the next two to three years and that staff may propose new TIDs for priority projects.
Rutkowski said building-fee schedules and some permit lists are under review to align enforcement and educational outreach; she noted building codes are set by the state and the city enforces them, and she flagged an upcoming statewide update to the UDC (Uniform Dwelling Code) via DSPS that will include public-comment opportunities.
She reported that the department is implementing several recommendations from a prior matrix review and plans to roll out more process changes when the city completes OpenGov software configuration. Rutkowski framed success as clearer communication, collaboration and easier public access to processes and invited residents to engage as proposals move forward.
Next steps: Rutkowski said a longer orientation will be scheduled in May for detailed questions and public-involvement timelines; staff will bring specific proposals back to council later in 2026.
