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Commission conditions partial alley closure near Tarleton Theatre on creation of food-truck/event space; easement and PUD/text amendment required
Summary
The commission approved a partial alley closure near 409 W. Walnut St. to enable a proposed food-truck yard and event space owned by the Tarleton Theatre, contingent on a PUD or text amendment establishing the site’s principal use and on an easement to preserve ingress/egress for adjacent properties.
The Green Bay Plan Commission on Sept. 29 approved a partial closure of an alley near the Tarleton Theatre at 409 West Walnut Street, contingent on the property owner establishing a principal use for the site (via PUD or code amendment) that would authorize a food-truck yard and related event space.
City staff explained the alley segment to be closed is part of a block of businesses and that the closure is intended to create a contained event area that could include food trucks and liquor sales. Because the parcel currently lacks an established principal commercial use that would legally support a by-right food-truck yard, staff said the closure must be linked to either a PUD for the parcel or a targeted text amendment to the zoning code that clarifies how food-truck yards and similar temporary/seasonal uses can be authorized. Staff also said the alley closure will require a closure/maintenance agreement covering snow removal, fencing and other operations and an ingress/egress easement across an adjacent parcel (Parcel 3-99) so back-of-house traffic can continue to circulate.
Staff said utilities and other departments were contacted and had no objections provided the easement is recorded. The Tarleton Theatre has previously held temporary use permits for outdoor events at the location for two seasons and seeks a longer-term authorization that would avoid repeated TUP renewals.
Commissioners and staff discussed alternatives short of closure (operational controls and temporary barriers) but concurred that a formal closure tied to a PUD or text amendment would provide a clearer regulatory framework, particularly where liquor sales are proposed. The commission approved the closure with conditions: (1) the alley closure is contingent on adoption of a PUD or a zoning text amendment authorizing the food-truck/event use; (2) the applicant must record an easement across parcel 3-99 to preserve ingress/egress and emergency access; and (3) a closure agreement addressing maintenance, snow removal and fencing must be executed.
Motion and next steps: Commissioner Vinsky moved to approve the closure as recommended; Commissioner Daniels seconded and the motion carried. Staff said it will work with the applicant on either a PUD or a text amendment and that enactment is intended to allow a permanent authorization for the event space before the next outdoor season.
If the applicant pursues a PUD, staff said site design standards (hours, restroom availability, food-safety and liquor controls) will be included in the PUD or in the text amendment.
