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Zoning board approves corner‑setback variance for 1437 Baumgart Road
Summary
The Green Bay Zoning and Planning Board of Appeals approved a variance allowing a single‑family home at 1437 Baumgart Road to sit about 39.5 feet from the right‑of‑way on one street, relaxing the corner‑front setback to accommodate a narrow lot. Board members found ordinance tests met despite concerns about neighboring lot patterns.
The Green Bay Zoning and Planning Board of Appeals on May 18 approved a variance allowing a single‑family home at 1437 Baumgart Road to be sited approximately 39.5 feet from the right‑of‑way on a corner front, relief of roughly 46.5 feet compared with a neighboring home. The motion to approve was moved by Josh and seconded by Steven; the motion carried by voice vote.
The board considered Appeal 26‑10, brought on behalf of applicant Jim Wolf (Vierbicker) with the property owned by Dan Peters of Robert Peters Construction Inc. City planner John summarized the applicable code (section 44‑554, table 44‑2 note e) and said the applicant proposes a permitted single‑family home and two‑stall attached garage on a narrow corner parcel that otherwise cannot meet the corner front setback requirement. John said the proposed home would sit about 39.5 feet from the right‑of‑way on West Point while the neighboring property is roughly 86 feet from the right‑of‑way, yielding the requested relief of about 46.5 feet. "The applicant seeks relief to allow for a home that would be placed 39 and a half feet off of the right of way," John said during his staff report.
Board member Josh argued the variance meets the ordinance tests, emphasizing the lot's narrow width and the practical hardship of making the parcel buildable. "If you hold this property and can't do anything with it, there's really very little point in owning it," Josh said, urging the board to preserve the owner's property rights. Steven seconded the motion, saying the application met the development standards and tests the board applies.
The Chair expressed hesitation about the exceptional‑circumstance test, noting that much of the apparent hardship derives from the configuration of neighboring development rather than solely from the subject parcel's shape. Still, the Chair said he agreed Josh had made a clear case on the other tests. Staff added a broader planning comment that increasing housing supply supports the public interest in Green Bay: "I think it's in the public interest to build more housing in Green Bay," John said.
On the board's roll call, members voiced aye and the Chair announced the motion carried. The board granted the requested front yard relief with the understanding that the house would be narrower to fit the site and that rear setback requirements and other code elements remain satisfied.
Procedural follow‑ups: the petitioner was thanked and given the revised status of the approval. Under other business the board noted a planned June 10 staff presentation on ZDOA duties in chapter 10 of the municipal code will be postponed because a staff member (Logan) could not attend; the board scheduled its next meeting for June 15 and adjourned.
