Council approves Valentine Farm PUD with limits on events and temporary bathroom

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Common Council voted May 6 to approve a planned-unit development (PUD) for the Valentine property at 3026 Nicolay Drive that allows additional on-site growing structures and limits certain public uses.

The PUD, explained by Alder Grant before the public hearing, authorizes up to three greenhouses and up to three high tunnels, a detached garage, a farm stand relocated to the driveway, and continuation of a youth day camp with a maximum participant limit specified by the council. Grant said the proposal also requires an ADA-accessible bathroom, five parking spaces and a widened driveway.

The PUD drew split public comment. Supporters called the site an important local agricultural education resource within walking distance of Red Smith School and praised its community classes. Opponents said the property had moved toward commercial activity, raised safety and traffic concerns for Church and Nicolay roads, and said existing maintenance and compliance issues were not sufficiently addressed.

Sarah Valentine, the applicant, told the council that the first phase is a high tunnel to be installed this summer with grant funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service and that driveway widening, the five parking spaces and the permanent ADA restroom would follow. "The camps run from 9 to noon," Valentine said, describing drop-off between 8:30 and 9 and pickup around noon. She said the property is "just over 5 acres," and described a phased approach because some measures depend on funding.

Council members offered and adopted two written amendments before voting. The first amendment permits a temporary, screened restroom (porta‑potty) for up to 24 months while a permanent ADA restroom is constructed; the temporary unit must be concealed from view by a masonry wall, fence, berm, planting or a combination and be maintained year‑round. The second amendment allows limited adult programming classified in the PUD as "adult farm camp," caps those events at 12 per year with maximum attendance of 25 people per event, requires all parking for those events to be on the property (not on the street), and specifies that driveway surfacing must be pavement, asphalt, or permeable pavers (the PUD text disallows gravel).

Neighbors who opposed the PUD cited prior plan commission testimony describing what they said were on‑site commercial activities inconsistent with R‑1 residential zoning, concerns about unorganized storage and animal housing, and potential traffic congestion during drop‑off and pick‑up. Supporters noted educational programming for local students and volunteers, and said the high tunnel and storage would reduce clutter and improve site maintenance.

Alder Grant moved to approve the PUD as amended; the motion was seconded by Alder Hinkfuss and carried unanimously. The council also moved to adopt the related ordinance on a first‑and‑final reading so the farm stand and the first phases of site work may proceed without a two‑week delay.

The PUD approval includes specific conditions adopted by the council: estate parking and driveway improvements, the two‑year allowance for a screened temporary restroom, a maximum of 12 adult farm events per year at up to 25 attendees each with all parking on the property, and that any future uses not specified in the PUD (for example a restaurant, assembly hall or commercial rezoning) would require a new application and full review.

The council recorded the action as approval of the PUD (Item 4) as amended. Implementation details — timing for the permanent restroom, the exact surfacing material chosen, and enforcement steps related to site maintenance — are subject to plan review and the city's permitting process.