OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — As a proposal to build more than 500 housing units in Oshkosh moves closer to approval, neighbors are raising concerns.
The units are planned on being built on a large area of farmland near Lake Butte des Morts on the city’s northwest side.
522 housing units consisting of both apartments and townhomes will likely take over this area consisting of 70.50 acres.
The piece of land is located on Oshkosh’s northwest side, between Highway 45 and Lake Butte des Morts.
“If you go by there today, there’s an old farmhouse falling over,” said Jake Buswell, owner/partner of Red Earth, LLC, the future owner of the property. “It’s not a pretty site, so we’re going to make it a very nice site.”
But, the project came under greater scrutiny at Tuesday’s plan commission meeting.
“This whole plan should’ve never saw the light of day,” one community member said.
Residents who live near the projected site area say they had little to no notice of the housing project.
Kristin Mueller, a nearby resident, says the proposed project doesn’t match the lake house feel.
“It’s a very cute, quaint environment there and putting a high density, four-rise apartment buildings does not fit in that area, fit meaning aesthetically,” said Mueller.
Those residents were given an opportunity to make comments Tuesday night at the Plan Commission’s meeting.
“I think if this was a single house family plan, you wouldn’t have an objection from anyone here,” said another community member. “This is typical big city stuff, this doesn’t belong where you put it.”
The city commissioned a housing study in 2021. Part of the study shows there’s a need for these types of units.
“Obviously we as a city or the developer can’t guarantee the out fill, but the housing study did indicate that there was a need for more housing including multi-family to be added in the city,” said Mark Lyons, Oshkosh’s Planning Services Manager.
Other concerns from area residents include lighting in the area.
“That’s almost 200 family units that can see this place, they’ll be bright parking lot lights not proposed yet which you mentioned, that will be in direct line of sight to half of these family units,” a community member said.
Plus, disturbing wetlands.
“Those are very sensitive wetlands that surrounds this,” a concerned community member said. “There are thousands of migrating waterfowl every spring and every fall. This is going to disrupt all of that.”
“In regards to the wetlands, no we’re not building on the wetlands,” said Buswell. “The DNR would not allow that.”
The housing project will be brought to Oshkosh’s city council next week for approval.
Next week’s city council meeting will be held next Tuesday night at six at City Hall.
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