Two Grand Chute properties annexed to Appleton by owners to build new homes

APPLETON, Wis. (WBAY) - The City of Appleton’s plan commission unanimously approved the annexation of two large properties in recent weeks that were previously considered to be in the Town of Grand Chute.

Property owners are planning to develop hundreds of single and two-family homes on the two sites, which total over 168 acres.

The property owners of the Dewitt and Dorn annexations petitioned for the change, which would allow access to the public utilities required to uphold the major subdivisions they plan to build.

Mayor Woodford, who heads the plan commission, says this is common practice and there is no land dispute with Grand Chute.

“These annexations have long been anticipated and are understood by both the town of Grand Chute and the City of Appleton, and we again have a strong positive working relationship,” says Mayor Woodford.

On Wednesday, the commission approved rezoning of the Dorn annexation along the 4700 block of North Richmond Street to allow for 250 or more single-family homes to be built.

Moments later, they approved the annexation of the Dewitt property in the 6000 block of French Road, which is expected to welcome another 120 single and two-family homes.

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“The only way we’re going to address these issues around housing availability and affordability is through new construction. Seeing new development in lots of different patterns play an important role in meeting those housing supply needs,” the mayor said.

“As a city we can be better, and we can do better when it comes to managing the process, try and break down barriers that folks run into when they’re trying to do projects in our city,” he added.

While these developments also fit the city’s demand for 340 new housing options every year, one member of the public still has concerns about neighborhood density.

“If open land is not an option, and homes must be built, let them be unique with yards that are more than just afterthoughts, with spaces that allow room to breathe, and if smaller plots are inevitable, let’s prioritize single-story home designs that maintain sightlines that preserve the areas open feel,” says William Lundquist.

Site plans have yet to be established for either property, so we don’t have a timeframe for when construction will begin.