Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting - November 6, 2025

The meeting was held on November 6, 2025, at Oswego Village Hall. The main agenda items were approval of the September 4, 2025 meeting minutes and a discussion on the update of the village's comprehensive plan, led by consultants from The Lakota Group. No public comments were made. The commission engaged in an extensive dialogue about Oswego's identity, challenges, and future priorities.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of September 4, 2025 Minutes: The minutes were unanimously approved (all present commissioners voted yes).

Discussion Items

• Comprehensive Plan Update Presentation: Sara Asfahani and Hannah Bader from The Lakota Group presented the process for updating the comprehensive plan, which was originally adopted in 2015. The presentation covered the planning team, three-phase process (assessment, vision, implementation), and community engagement strategies already underway, including stakeholder interviews, a steering committee meeting, upcoming pop-ups (e.g., Christmas Walk), and an online survey at OswegoCompPlan.com. Commissioners were invited to provide input on Oswego's unique character, challenges, and priorities.
• Commissioner Discussion on Community Character and Challenges:
  • Several commissioners emphasized Oswego's small-town feel and strong community events (e.g., Fall Fest, Christmas Walk) as key assets.
  • The downtown area was seen as charming but constrained by State Route 34 running through it, creating traffic and walkability challenges. The riverfront was identified as an underutilized asset, with commissioners noting that the village owns limited land along the river (e.g., a parking lot).
  • A major challenge discussed was the dominance of residential development over commercial/industrial growth, leading to high property taxes and financial strain on the school district (which recently approved a $440 million bond). Commissioners expressed frustration with the lack of unique commercial destinations and the difficulty of attracting non-chain businesses.
  • Specific criticisms were leveled at the Reserve at Hudson Crossing development, which some commissioners called a "bad pill" that was rushed and did not integrate well with the downtown.
  • Commissioners highlighted the need for improved connectivity (sidewalks, bike paths) across subdivisions and along Wolf's Crossing, where safety concerns were noted.
  • Missing housing typologies were discussed, including bungalows and moderate-density multifamily that fits a small footprint.
  • The potential of the former Trapper property was raised, with commissioners urging that future development on that site be community-driven rather than developer-driven.
• Consultant Feedback: The Lakota Group noted that they have heard strong community sentiment around downtown revitalization and growth management. They committed to analyzing comparable communities and bringing creative ideas to the table.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of September 4, 2025 Minutes: Unanimous (voice vote, all ayes).
• Next Steps for Comprehensive Plan: The process will continue with additional stakeholder engagements (including a pop-up at the December Christmas Walk and an online survey). The consultants will produce a "State of Oswego" report early in 2026, followed by goal-setting and implementation phases.
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for December 4, 2025 (Chairman noted he would be absent; Vice Chair Andy McCallum will preside).