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Green Bay seeks input on a comprehensive plan

Lisa M. Hale

Jul 30, 2024, 7:52 AM CST

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GREEN BAY, WI – (WGBW & WISS) – Green Bay is knee-deep in creating a comprehensive plan for the city’s development. To get an idea of what people see as the needs and wants of their community in the next 15 years, the planning committee is holding neighborhood planning meetings through August. 

Stephanie Hummel, a planner for Green Bay says these planning sessions are important to the future of the city.

“So, if people continually say the same thing, we’re going to hear that. We’re going to prioritize that in the plan. And then that plan is what is used to make policy, to update codes, to create programming. That’s kind of the guiding document for the whole city. So we really want people to tell us what they need and what they think,” said Hummel.

Hummel said the comprehensive plan is the guiding document for the entire City of Green Bay.

“So the planning department kind of leads the charge, but, honestly, it impacts everything,” said Hummel. “It’s housing. It’s transportation, infrastructure, parks, everything.” 

Housing & transportation needs

Hummel says, so far, the planning committee is hearing that there is a housing crisis, not only in the nation but also in Green Bay.

“There’s not just a lack of housing, but where people are putting that housing. And how much that housing is costing. And the lack of support that people are receiving,” said Hummel. “We did a housing study four years ago. In that it showed that we lacked all sorts of housing from the top tier all the way to the bottom.”

Hummel adds transportation, especially for people who walk and bike, is a huge issue for the people of Green Bay.

“They’re really feeling the effects of this city being designed for cars, and they’re not liking it.” Hummel said, “They want to be able to take their bike. They want to be able to safely walk to a grocery store or to an event. A lot of places it’s not possible. I live downtown, so I can safely walk places. But other areas? It’s not possible. 

The planning commission wants to talk to all demographics that are going to be impacted by the comprehensive plan, which includes the younger demographics considered to be children or teens. 

“These plans really miss the 18 and younger demographic. And even, like, 22 and younger, because they don’t feel that they need to give their opinion for the next 20 years. Because they’re not going to be here. Or they aren’t sure where they’re going to be.” said Hummel

To make sure that Green Bay has gotten input from all generations, they collected feedback from elementary school students and kids who participated in Kids Day and other events throughout the city. 

To find the neighborhood planning session in your area please visit GoBigGreenBay.com for a list of neighborhood meetings and links to surveys.

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