The Green Bay Common Council on Dec. 2 approved a zoning amendment that narrows the set of single‑family parcels that can be built without additional review. Alder Jennifer Grant moved to change the proposal from a 50‑foot minimum lot width to a 60‑foot minimum (6,000 square feet), saying lots narrower than that should come to the city for a conditional use permit so staff and neighbors can review site plans. "Anything below that would still look at reviewing it," Grant said during the discussion.

City planning staff, represented by Director Rainier Wig, told the council they preferred keeping the 50‑foot threshold because developers already have products designed for that width and changing it risks discouraging housing production. Wig said a CUP would typically add six to eight weeks and more cost for developers. "We think 50 works in a number of situations," Wig said.

Several Alders described the tradeoffs: Alder Presley said he favored the staff recommendation to encourage development, while Alder Galvin and Alder Hinkfuss said their experience in older neighborhoods makes a larger minimum sensible. Builder and planner representatives explained design approaches that can fit on narrower lots but acknowledged the CUP process provides neighbor notice and design review.

Alder Grant's amendment to set the review threshold at 60 feet passed 7–5. Council then voted to approve the ordinance as amended; the final motion to approve as amended passed 8–4.

The ordinance changes will require developers seeking to build on lots narrower than 60 feet to apply for CUP review, a process that includes plan‑commission consideration and neighbor notification. City staff said the change is a minimum standard and developers can still build wider lots or seek alternative approvals.

Next steps: the ordinance takes effect after the usual administrative processing; the city clerk will update permitting materials and public notice procedures to reflect the amended threshold.