HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 12
PLAN COMMISSION STAFF REPORT DECEMBER 2, 2025
ITEM 12: Public Hearing: Text Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance
Applicant: Department of Community Development
Actions Requested: The City of Oshkosh Department of Community Development requests the
review and approval of amendments to the Oshkosh Zoning Ordinance.
Applicable Ordinance: Section 30-380 of the Zoning Ordinance establishes the ability of the
Common Council, on its own motion or on petition after first submitting the proposal to the City
Plan Commission, to amend, supplement or change Zoning District boundaries or regulations of
the Zoning Ordinance.
Background Information: The City of Oshkosh adopted a new zoning ordinance which went into
effect on January 1, 2017. Since the adoption of the ordinance staff regularly monitors and
evaluates code sections that should be modified following further examination and discussion
with the public, developers and other stakeholders. There are currently three specific provisions
that have been prioritized tied to single and two-family residential building height; commercial
and industrial stormwater imperviousness; and freestanding ground sign setback requirements.
Residential Building Height:
The objective of the height amendment is to expand opportunities and options for single and two-
family properties located in denser urban core districts that may have the ability to build
vertically on a dimensionally smaller lot, compared to building horizontally on a home with a
larger suburban lot. For example, the city’s Washington Avenue Historic District is
predominately comprised with lots zoned Single Family Residential 9 (SR-9) that have a
minimum lot area requirement of 4,500 square feet. Comparatively, some neighborhoods west of
Highway 41 are zoned Single Family Residential 3 (SR-3) with a minimum lot area of 10,000
square feet or more than twice the developable area. Infill lots in the denser urban districts would
be granted the ability to by-right build or redevelop homes that may have surrounding three-
story homes (i.e., Victorian, Craftsman, etc.) and add to properties with dimensional limitations
(i.e., substandard lot dimensions). Likewise, existing homes in these areas could look into the
feasibility of finishing attic spaces into livable dwelling space.
It should be noted existing neighborhood-scale and character will continue to be protected and
regulated through Article VIII Exterior Building Design Standards of the Zoning Ordinance.
Specifically, this code limits proposed building heights to not exceed the height of the tallest
single- or two-family dwelling immediately adjacent to a subject property by more than one-
story. This provision will continue to protect against undesirable outlier development where you
could potentially have a three-story home next to a single-story home. Finally, properties will
also still be required to meet Uniform Dwelling Code requirements through building plan review
to assure health and safety standards are being met.
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Stormwater Surface Ratio:
The proposed amendments to the stormwater surface ratios in Chapter 30 are in response to
recent requests for commercial and industrial properties to exceed zoning ordinance limits via
Planned Developments. Specifically, while each zoning district has prescribed a maximum
surface ratio, Chapter 14 Storm Water Management has detailed requirements for treatment and
alternative designs practices that achieve project goals and performance standards. Required
green space standards will remain unchanged through setback minimums and landscape point
totals. However, the Chapter 30 surface ratio limitations are creating unnecessary additional
processes (e.g., rezones, GDP/SIP Reviews, etc.) for certain developments when practical
solutions can be achieved through Chapter 14 and the proposed revisions will allow for design
flexibility (e.g., underground detention, green roof systems, etc.) when appropriate.
Freestanding Sign Setback Requirements:
The requested modification for the freestanding sign setback standard has similarly been
identified from numerous Planned Development modifications for reduced dimensions. Practical
placement of monument and dual-post signs at the same minimum setback as a parking lot
and/or building improvements has created placement limitations that can be alleviated through
reducing the required sign setback.
For example, commercial property currently located in the Suburban Mixed Use (SMU) District
currently has to provide minimum setbacks of 25’ for the parking lot, building and signage. This
amendment would allow them to by-right permit an identification sign in front of the parking lot
and/or building whereas in the past they would potentially have to look into more process for a
Planned Development or variance to place it there. Alternatively, developments have placed the
signs in the parking lot which then creates other challenges related to reduced area for off-street
parking stalls and/or visual obstructions for motorists. In general, this amendment should reduce
additional administrative processes (Planned Developments/Variances) to help developers and
business owners while also enhancing traffic safety for motorists with identification of various
businesses and places of interest.
Analysis: Staff proposes amendments to the following Zoning Ordinance code sections:
• Amend Section 30-35(N) to change the Maximum Principal Building Height from Lesser
of 35 feet or 2 ½ stories to 3 stories.
• Amend Section 30-36(G) to change the Maximum Principal Building Height from Lesser
of 35 feet or 2 ½ stories to 3 stories.
• Amend Section 30-37(G) to change the Maximum Principal Building Height from Lesser
of 35 feet or 2 ½ stories to 3 stories.
• Amend Section 30-38(G) to change the Maximum Principal Building Height from Lesser
of 35 feet or 2 ½ stories to 3 stories.
• Amend Section 30-39(G) to change the Maximum Principal Building Height from Lesser
of 35 feet or 2 ½ stories to 3 stories.
• Amend Section 30-40(G) to change the Maximum Principal Building Height from Lesser
of 35 feet or 2 ½ stories to 3 stories.
• Amend Section 30-41(G) to change the Maximum Principal Building Height from Lesser
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of 35 feet or 2 ½ stories to 3 stories.
• Amend Section 30-42(G) to change Maximum Impervious Surface Ratio from 60 percent
to Meet Stormwater Regulations.
• Amend Section 30-43(G) to change Maximum Impervious Surface Ratio from 65 percent
to Meet Stormwater Regulations.
• Amend Section 30-44(G) to change Maximum Impervious Surface Ratio from 70 percent
to Meet Stormwater Regulations.
• Amend Section 30-50(G) to change Maximum Impervious Surface Ratio from 60 percent
to Meet Stormwater Regulations & Maximum Residential Principal Building Height from
Lesser of 35 feet or 2 ½ stories to 3 stories.
• Amend Section 30-51(G) to change Maximum Impervious Surface Ratio from 50 percent
to Meet Stormwater Regulations & Maximum Principal Building Height from Lesser of
35 feet or 2 ½ stories to 3 stories.
• Amend Section 30-52(G) to change Maximum Impervious Surface Ratio from 70 percent
to Meet Stormwater Regulations.
• Amend Section 30-53(G) to change Maximum Impervious Surface Ratio for Residential
Uses from 75 percent and Nonresidential Uses from 85 percent to Meet Stormwater
Regulations & Maximum Principal Building Height from Lesser of 35 feet or 2 ½ stories
for Residential Uses to 3 stories.
• Amend Section 30-55(L) to change Maximum Impervious Surface Ratio from 80 percent
to Meet Stormwater Regulations.
• Amend Section 30-59(O) to change Maximum Impervious Surface Ratio from 70 percent
to Meet Stormwater Regulations.
• Amend Section 30-60(G) to change Maximum Impervious Surface Ratio from 70 percent
to Meet Stormwater Regulations.
• Amend Section 30-61(G) to change Maximum Impervious Surface Ratio from 80 percent
to Meet Stormwater Regulations.
• Amend Section 30-62(F) to change Maximum Impervious Surface Ratio from 70 percent
to Meet Stormwater Regulations.
• Amend Section 30-291(A) to change the minimum front yard setback for freestanding
signs to 15’.
All of the proposed amendments are intended to promote development flexibility in the
community and further enhance the zoning ordinance’s purpose and intent of promoting
property values; protecting safety; and enhancing the general welfare of the public.
Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the proposed amendments to the Oshkosh
Zoning Ordinance.
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