Green Bay council recognizes Shipyard District, adopts zoning ordinances amid neighborhood objections

The Green Bay Common Council on Feb. 4 unanimously approved a resolution recognizing the Shipyard District and adopted multiple ordinances, including two zoning measures for properties on South Bridge Road and Frank Street, even as nearby residents asked the council to delay vote on spot zoning until the city’s comprehensive plan is finalized.

The Shipyard District recognition passed after local business and neighborhood representatives described the group’s efforts to revitalize South Broadway. Charles Knight, executive director of Shipyard District Incorporated, told the council the nonprofit was formed by business and property owners to identify needs and spur revitalization "over the last 3 years" and to work as a "public, private partner" with city staff.

The council also handled second-reading adoption of several ordinances by roll call and took up two zoning ordinances (identified in the meeting as "zoning ordinance number O3-25" and "zoning ordinance number O2-25") covering properties described during the meeting as on South Bridge Road and Frank Street. Residents who spoke urged the council to wait for a pending comprehensive plan and raised a county driveway-access denial on Lombardi Avenue as a concern for how traffic would be routed.

"This is an essential part of our community," Knight said of the Shipyard area, describing connections to the Stadium District and downtown and saying business and property owners want the area to be "more vibrant, clean, [and] safe." Jeff Hunter, who identified himself as a business owner on South Broadway, said the business and property owners who formed the group were "very proud" of their work and thanked the council and city staff for moving the recognition forward.

During the zoning item public-comment period, Patricia Garrison, who gave her address as 1260 Thorndale Street, asked the council to "please hold off on your vote until that comprehensive plan has been completed so that you can have a more holistic view of what this will do with the ripple effect for our community." Her daughter, Cassie Garrison, spoke about preserving a residential feel on Thorndale Street, saying adding a driveway would "bring a lot of unnecessary traffic" and could reduce neighborhood safety for people who walk and bike there.

Council members moved to open the floor for public comment on the zoning items; after hearing from neighbors the council closed public comment and proceeded with the vote. Alder Johnson moved to approve the Shipyard resolution; Alder Galvin seconded. Multiple alderpersons moved to suspend the rules and adopt ordinances by roll call; for zoning items Alder Wery moved to approve and Alder Eck seconded, with the council suspending rules to take the two zoning items together.

All items taken up on second reading at the Feb. 4 meeting were adopted unanimously. The council approved the Shipyard District resolution and the ordinances referenced as items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 on the agenda; the two zoning ordinances (2 and 3 on the agenda) were taken and adopted together. Neighbors requested the council consider delaying spot zoning until the comprehensive plan — which speakers said is expected to be released "by June or so" — is available for public review. The county’s reason for denying driveway access on Lombardi Avenue was raised during public comment and described as not fully explained to speakers.

The council completed other routine business and committee reports, approved operator licenses and committee reports, and adjourned the meeting after the votes.