Council approves two zoning PUDs despite neighbors' concerns about driveway access

The Green Bay Common Council on Feb. 4 voted to adopt two zoning ordinances (listed in the meeting as "03-25" and "02-25") that the mayor said apply to planned-unit developments at addresses on South Bridge Road and Frank Street, after a brief public comment period in which neighbors urged the council to delay spot zoning until the city's comprehensive plan is available.

Patricia Garrison, a resident of Thorndale Street, urged the council to hold off on spot zoning the corner and asked the council to seek clarification from the county about why driveway access on Lombardi Avenue had been denied. "I just want to appeal to you 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," Garrison said.

Online commenter Cassie Garrison, who also listed a Thorndale Street address, said she has lived on the street since she was 9 and opposed placing a driveway onto Thorndale because it would increase traffic and reduce the sense of safety for pedestrians and children.

Councilors moved to take items 2 and 3 together, opened the floor for comment, then closed public comment and voted. On motion to adopt (motion offered by Alder Prophet and taken by Alder Weary according to the transcript), the council adopted both items unanimously.

The meeting transcript identifies the ordinances by the numbers cited by the mayor and lists the project locations (South Bridge Road and Frank Street) and describes them as planned-unit developments. The council record at the meeting did not include a detailed public response from county officials about driveway access, and no further mitigation or conditions were recorded on the council floor. Neighbors asked that the council await the comprehensive plan expected to be released around June; the council adopted the ordinances that evening.