Plan commission approves 41‑unit Planned Unit Development tied to NEW Community Shelter; goes to council April 15

The Green Bay Plan Commission voted to recommend approval of a planned unit development that would replace seven single‑family homes with a four‑story, 41‑unit multifamily building on parcels at 306 and 308 Mather Street, 709 Alma Street and 301–309 James Street. The commission approved the PUD on a voice vote and will forward the item to the Common Council for final action on April 15.

Staff said the project would combine seven parcels owned by NEW Community Shelter Inc. into a single development site and build a 41‑unit apartment building with parking on the north side of the site. City planning staff described the proposed building as a multifamily use that would be operated in connection with NEW’s existing supportive housing programs, but noted the units are individual apartments that could be sold or rented independently in the future.

Planning staff recommended the PUD because the base zoning (R‑3) allows multifamily uses, and because the PUD framework can address several deviations the project requests from the R‑3 standards. The petitioner requested waivers including consolidated lots across an existing public alley, a reduced lot‑area‑per‑unit density (proposal: 400 square feet per unit vs. R‑3 standard 1,500), a maximum building height increase from 45 to 52 feet, a reduced western buffer (requested 22.5 feet vs. required 25 feet), and a shortened driveway throat (requested 5 feet vs. code 18 feet). Staff said the site meets parking and green‑space metrics when shared parking at the adjacent NEW shelter and bicycle parking are considered.

Neighbors who spoke at the public hearing raised questions about displacement of seven houses, visual buffering and how the project would affect their alley access and property values. Mark Bergland of 806 North Broadway said the proposed parking would be visible from his backyard and requested additional plantings or berms and clarification whether a privacy fence would extend north of the alley. David Osborne spoke on behalf of his stepdaughter, who lives at 306 James Street, and asked about potential loss of property value and compensation. Alderman Bill Morgan said he supports the shelter’s programs and the proposed housing.

Planning staff told the commission a neighborhood meeting on the project drew roughly 16 people and that the property owners on the west side of the alley had indicated support. Staff also said the applicant submitted a separate petition for an alley vacation that will be considered at a future plan commission meeting; the PUD was requested regardless of whether the alley is vacated. Staff recommended approval of the PUD subject to compliance with technical and plan conditions, including a final landscaping plan meeting Chapter 44 standards and stronger opaque screening where the site adjoins single‑family properties.

Vice Chair Jacob Miller moved to approve the PUD with the staff‑recommended conditions; Commissioner Ken Ravinsky seconded. The commission voted in favor and directed staff to forward the recommendation to city council for its April 15 meeting.

The commission’s action is a recommendation; final approval and any required alley vacation or administrative permits remain subject to council action and technical review. The PUD approval includes multiple conditions that the applicant must satisfy during site plan and permit review, including a final landscaping plan, parking and circulation details and compliance with building and safety codes.