The future of approximately 72 lots in the city of Sturgeon Bay took another step forward last week after the Common Council approved the preliminary plat for the proposed Heron Crossing subdivision.

The plat covers a 27.5-acre site near North 8th Avenue and North 11th Place. The development is expected to include a mix of workforce housing, market-rate homes and duplexes.

Sturgeon Bay Mayor David Ward said the lots will be smaller than some others in the area, reflecting a trend in the homebuilding industry. He added that the city is in need of more lots to build on to help address the area’s housing shortage.

The Common Council also addressed other future housing projects, including approval of amendments to its development agreement with the developers of Sawyer Park Flats, as well as updates to the city’s zoning map for recently annexed portions of the Town of Nasewaupee.