PROBLEM: Osceola Development, LLC (Gaughan) has proposed a large 99-unit, 3 story apartment complex at the old hospital site on the St Croix River bluff in Osceola WI. The proposed building is too BIG and too TALL and is not in keeping with the historic charm of this small river town. It is going to be visible from the St Croix River, the Osceola Landings (the most heavily used landing on the St Croix River according to the National Park Service), and disturb the pristine beauty of the St Croix Valley. The view the above photo is showing, will be gone.

IMPACT: This tall building will forever change the landscape you currently enjoy, and will destroy the scenic beauty of the “St Croix National Scenic Riverway” that was enacted in 1968 to preserve and maintain the exceptional scenic, cultural, and natural characteristics of the Lower St. Croix Riverway. This law was enacted to prevent this type of development. If this 45’ height use is allowed, it will set a precedent and open the door for more development of this kind along the entire riverway.

ACTION: We DO NOT support the developer’s request to increase the height of the apartment complex to 45’ and strongly urge the Village Board of Osceola to deny this request and to follow the recommendations of the National Park Service and the Wisconsin requirements in NR 118 and to only allow a 35’ height structure.