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TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Kelly Nieforth, Director of Community Development DATE: December 10, 2024 SUBJECT: Res 24-682 Approve Land Acquisition for a 5.5-Acre Portion of 3483 Jackson Street for Development of Workforce Housing (Parcel 1250160000); ($154,000) (Plan Commission Recommends Approval)

BACKGROUND

The subject site consists of a single lot that is currently 9.48 acres in size located on the west side of Jackson Street and the east end of Christian Drive.  The property contains two commercial buildings that are home to three commercial businesses. This request is to acquire a 5.5-acre portion of the rear part of the subject site to create a new parcel that can be used for single-family residential homes. The subject site is currently zoned Suburban Mixed Use (SMU). On June 25th, 2024 the Common Council unanimously approved, through Resolution 24-371, the land acquisition of the vacant property to the north of the subject site (parcel 120100000). That acquisition combined with this request will result in a total of 10.55 acres of land to create a subdivision for workforce housing (individuals/families earning 80% to 120% of the area’s median income of $99,100). If this request for acquisition is approved, a new parcel will be created through a Certified Survey Map. Subsequently and concurrently, the new parcel will need to be rezoned to Single Family Residential–9 (SR-9) and the Comprehensive Land Use Map will need to be amended from General Commercial to Light Density Residential which is consistent with adjacent uses. The surrounding area has a mix of uses including vacant land and single-family uses to the north and west, multifamily residential to the south, and Jackson Street to the east.

ANALYSIS

The City of Oshkosh has identified a shortage of housing affordable to individuals/families making 80%-120% of the area’s median income of $99,100 within the city. Recommendations were included in the city’s Housing Plan to facilitate housing growth within the city. To help meet this need, the City is proposing to acquire the subject property for development of workforce housing. Approximately 21 single-family parcels are anticipated for the subject site, which will require a CSM, rezoning, a comprehensive plan amendment, and subdivision platting prior to moving forward. Preliminary conceptual plans for the overall subdivision show 37 single-family parcels and two out lots for a future city-owned park. Staff worked with Parks Department staff to ensure the park location aligns with the City’s Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan which recommends a neighborhood park in the area. The City plans to work with a consultant and other City departments to provide services, including engineering, for the project. City staff will host a workshop with Council in early 2025 to gather feedback on program details regarding this workforce housing project to prepare for implementation.

BOARD/COMMISSION INFORMATION

Multiple neighbors of the property proposed to be acquired attended the December 3, 2024, Plan Commission meeting and shared concerns about single family housing being constructed on the property. Comments that were shared included concerns about property values decreasing, speeding on the existing street, the proposed lot sizes, groundwater management, and the homes being for low-income individuals. Staff responded to some of the concerns during the meeting, but Councilor Nichols, the Plan Commission Council representative, requested that a neighborhood meeting be held with neighbors from the nearby streets including Christian Drive, Farmington Avenue, Eichstadt Road and Olson Avenue, so city staff can go into greater detail about the proposed subdivision and discuss the neighbor’s concerns. Staff is working on setting up this meeting.

FISCAL IMPACT

City ARPA funds will be used to acquire the property. Future costs in upcoming years to develop the site and prepare shovel-ready lots will be funded by multiple funding sources including CDBG and CIP.

RECOMMENDATION

The Plan Commission recommended approval of the requested land acquisition on December 3, 2024. Please see the attached staff report and meeting minutes for more information.

Attachments RES 24-682 Land Acq - part of 3483 Jackson St - South Farmington

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