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Plan commission recommends allowing year‑round operations and higher capacity at St. John women’s shelter
Summary
The Green Bay Planning Commission voted Sept. 8 to recommend that city council amend the conditional use permit at 700 East Walnut Street to raise the women’s shelter’s emergency capacity from 58 to 70 and to remove a seasonal operating limit so the facility may operate year‑round if needed.
The Green Bay Planning Commission on Sept. 8 voted to recommend that the city council amend the conditional use permit (CUP) for the women’s shelter at 700 East Walnut Street to raise its maximum residential capacity from 58 to 70 and to remove the seasonal operating restriction that limited the shelter to Nov. 1–Apr. 30.
Staff recommended approval with the existing CUP conditions retained and a revised first condition to reflect the new capacity, noting the capacity remains limited by the International Building Code and by the building’s inspected fixtures. The staff report said the applicants provided data showing increased demand, that the facility would use internal emergency procedures (mats on floors) rather than adding permanent beds, and that staff’s inspector review found the increase would require addressing one plumbing/fixture shortfall per category identified by inspection.
Jess Burnett, executive director of Saint John’s Ministries, said the request is preventive because the shelter has seen nights near the existing limit: “We had 1 night where we had 57 women we sheltered. We're allowed 58. So this is really to be preventative. We're not going to go out and recruit extra women to come into the shelter.” Resident Dave Boyce told commissioners he supports the shelter and suggested added perimeter fencing, improved dumpster security and neighborhood‑watch signage. Abby Brzezinski, CEO of the Jackie Nitschke Center, spoke in support of the amendment.
Commissioners asked staff whether the amendment would change day‑service operations; staff replied the CUP covers shelter operations and that day services are handled through the Wellspring side of the facility and the shelter’s operating plan. Staff noted that the site likely is grandfathered for existing south‑side buffer conditions but that any future parking lot reconstruction could trigger required buffer and landscaping changes under code.
Vice Chair Jacob Miller moved to approve the amendment as recommended with updated condition language; the motion was seconded and carried. The commission’s recommendation and conditions will go to city council on Sept. 16 for final action.
