Plan Commission approves comp‑plan amendment and rezoning at 801–821 Limekiln Road to allow expanded auto sales

The Green Bay Plan Commission voted on Jan. 26 to approve a comprehensive‑plan amendment and a rezoning request for 801 and 821 Limekiln Road that will allow AutoConnect USA to expand automobile sales operations on the site.

Planning staff had urged the commission to deny the change from "neighborhood commercial" to "regional commercial," arguing that a matching rezoning from C1 (general commercial) to C2 (highway commercial) would allow higher‑intensity uses such as gas stations, car washes and drive‑through restaurants that could produce lighting, noise, traffic and smells affecting adjacent multifamily residences. Planning staff told commissioners the parcels currently see about "11,000 cars going by them daily," and said that those traffic counts and the corridor context informed their recommendation to deny.

Supporters of the applicant said the property owner has rehabilitated a previously vacant building and improved the block. Alder Bill Morgan, who said he represents the district, described a site visit and told commissioners the property has been well cared for: "it looks like you're going into a salon," and he urged the commission to rezone the parcels to allow the business to grow. Robert Every, identified as the owner of a neighboring Advance Auto property, said the renovation "is not only an asset, it's an anchor for that whole area." Jacqueline Henches, speaking for AutoConnect USA, said the owners are Green Bay residents who are "100% invested in this business" and said car sales would allow them to maintain the site's presentation and expand local employment.

Commissioners debated the long‑term implications of changing the city's future land‑use designation where multifamily housing borders the site. Several commissioners acknowledged the owners' recent improvements but said they were concerned that C2 zoning permits a broader and more intense set of commercial activities that might not serve nearby residents in the future. One commissioner moved to deny the comp‑plan amendment, while another moved to approve it; the motion to approve carried. Commissioners then considered the corresponding rezoning; the commission approved the rezoning to highway commercial (C2) as well, with staff noting the timing interdependency between the comp plan and the zoning action.

Procedurally, the commission discussed next steps: the first reading was scheduled for Feb. 3 and staff announced there will be another public hearing on the comp‑plan amendment in March. Commissioners said the comp‑plan amendment and rezoning will then proceed to the City Council as part of the formal approval process.

The commission's actions change the formal future land‑use classification and zoning process for the two Limekiln Road parcels but do not by themselves guarantee any particular business expansion; subsequent permits, site plan reviews and council approvals will be required. Planning staff noted the current automobile sales use is a legal, nonconforming use at 801 Limekiln that may continue regardless of tonight's action, and the applicants told the commission they plan to hire additional staff as part of their expansion plans.