The City Plan Commission met 06/11/2025. The one item that was on the agenda was the public hearing and associated action item pertaining to a rezoning request for the 72.2948 acres on the north side of the city that was recently annexed from Grand Chute into Appleton. The land is currently zoned AG Agricultural and the developer was requesting that it be rezoned to R-2 Two-Family District to facilitated the construction of housing on the land. The new zoning would allow the construction of either single- or two-family homes, but in a recent Post Crescent article a representative of the developer told the newspaper the development would consist of as many as 120 single-family homes.
The commission voted unanimously to recommend the rezoning be approved.
I’ve prepared a transcript of the discussion for download:
Two members of the public spoke during the public hearing. Dennis expressed concern that the R-2 zoning would result in a lot of rentals being built in the neighborhood which would bring turnover in residents, maintenance issues, and a decrease in property values. He preferred that it be rezoned to something that only allowed the construction of single-family dwellings. He also had questions about the plans for extending Lightning Drive and Providence Avenue.
Tom wanted to confirm whether or not the statement published in the Post Crescent that “Although the recommended zoning would allow duplexes, DeWitt aid the development would consist of single-family homes,” was accurate. He also wanted to know if there would be a public trail that would cross east to west through the property. Finally, he expressed concern about the ability of the roads in the area to handle the increase in traffic from the growth in housing and the opening of Sandy Slope elementary.
City Principal Planner Lindsey Smith told the commission that whether the land was zoned two-family or single-family or had single-family homes or duplexes constructed on it, the city did not have control over whether the units could be rentals or had to be owner-occupied.
She confirmed that regardless of what was written in the Post Crescent article, the requested R-2 zoning would allow the flexibility to construction of either single- or two-family homes, whether the developer wanted to do that himself or if he wanted to sell off some of the lots.
Regarding questions about public trails she said that when developer wants to develop a large tract of land the city requires a concept review prior to any formal requests being submitted to the city. The purpose of that review is to ensure that the concept for the area aligns with the city’s comprehensive plan as well as additional long-term plans and policies such as the trail plan.
She added that although Lightning Drive and Providence Avenue were not completed, they had been officially mapped. Lightning Drive is a north/south street and would be extended through the new development and eventually extended all the way up to connect with Broadway Drive. Providence Avenue was intended to turn in an east/west direction and connect with Lightning Drive.
Public Works Deputy Director Pete Neuberger told the commission that DPW has begun planning for urbanizing the streets in that area which would move the roads from two-lane roads with roadside ditches on either side to city streets with curbs and gutters. This was not in the 5-year plan, “but we have begun some feasibility engineering there regarding some stormwater planning and what would be needed in order to meet the city stormwater ordinance requirements when those two streets do become urbanized.”
The commission voted unanimously to recommend the rezoning be approved as requested.
View full meeting details and video here: https://cityofappleton.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1309279&GUID=A81EBBD1-F528-4386-B865-171A81656AAE
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