Council delays major zoning-code changes after members cite need for more review and public access

The Green Bay Common Council voted 8–4 on Oct. 21, 2025, to hold proposed zoning-code changes and several related ordinances for additional review and public outreach.

Ald. Olay Johnson moved to hold the measures until the next council meeting, saying he wanted more time for residents and council members to review roughly 93 code changes and to ensure adequate stakeholder engagement. Ald. Grant seconded the motion. The measure carried 8–4.

Multiple councilors said city systems (the public website) had been intermittently unavailable last week, limiting residents’ ability to review the proposed changes. Several members said they had questions that staff could answer if given time and that a deliberate pause would not derail the overall planning timetable.

Staff reiterated that the zoning code draft reflected recommendations from the housing study and other public processes; staff also noted that the item could proceed through standard first- and second-reading steps if the council chose to advance it. Councilors who opposed the hold said there was value to moving forward with a first reading and using the second reading for further amendments.

The council’s hold includes first-reading ordinances tied to the zoning revisions; staff told the council some items will be re-listed after additional planning-commission review and internal edits. Several councilors said they intended to consult staff and stakeholders in the coming weeks and to bring specific amendment language forward before the next vote.

The hold does not change the earlier adoption of the Go Big Green Bay 2050 comprehensive plan; it pauses related regulatory changes that would implement portions of the plan until the council takes them up again.