Plan Commission recommends PUD for Valentine Gardens allowing limited farm, education and retail uses with conditions

The Green Bay Plan Commission on April 28 recommended approval of a planned unit development (PUD) for Valentine Gardens at 3026 Nicolay Drive that would formalize a mix of agricultural, educational and limited retail uses on a roughly five-acre property currently zoned low-density residential.

The application, filed by Mark and Sarah Valentine, was prompted by a request to install a high tunnel (a large hoop-style greenhouse). Planning staff said their review found that the property's current use — which includes gardens, a retail farm stand, camp programs and limited animal husbandry — exceeded accessory-use standards in the R-1 district and that a PUD could balance the property's community benefits with neighborhood protections.

Staff summarized the PUD's major elements and limits: one single-family dwelling per parcel to preserve residential character; allowance for horticulture, floriculture, aquaponics and small-scale animal husbandry consistent with chapter 6 of the municipal code; a limit of three greenhouses (maximum 400 square feet each) and three high tunnels (maximum 2,200 square feet each) with specified setbacks of 15 feet from Nicolay and Church; limitation of educational camps/tours to a maximum of 28 individuals at any one time (including students, chaperones and staff); the requirement to install at least one ADA-accessible restroom on-site within 18 months (porta-potties allowed as interim supplement); parking and circulation standards modeled on similar institutional uses (two spaces per three employees; one parking space per seven attendees); and driveway improvements that require a 22-foot two-way driveway or a 14-foot one-way driveway to improve emergency and visitor access.

Staff recommended approval with conditions, citing the property's educational and environmental value, the volume of public support (49 of 55 comments in favor), and the need to integrate the operation into the neighborhood. Many neighbors testified in favor, including teachers and community organizations who use the site for education and nutrition programs; other neighbors, particularly residents of Nicolay Drive, raised concerns about potential commercial activity, animals, noise, property maintenance and future event- or restaurant-type uses. Planning staff said the PUD as drafted does not permit a restaurant or an assembly hall as commercial ticketed events; those activity types were discussed by the applicants as possible future ideas but are not authorized in the proposed ordinance.

After deliberation, the commission voted to recommend the PUD as drafted and will forward the ordinance to City Council for first reading on May 6 and second reading on May 20.