Green Bay Common Council Meeting - December 3, 2025

The Green Bay Common Council met on December 3, 2025, to consider a variety of agenda items, including zoning amendments, animal permit appeals, and short-term rental regulations. The meeting featured extensive public testimony and council debate, particularly on short-term rental policies and a dog over-limit permit appeal.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from November 11 and November 18 meetings.
• Approval of the agenda.
• Approval of new appointments and reappointments.
• Approval of the Protection and Policy Committee report (with exceptions for items 1 and 2).
• Approval of the Plan Commission report (with exceptions for items 1, 3, and 6).
• Approval of the Park Committee report.
• Approval of the Sustainability Commission report.
• Approval of multiple resolutions and ordinances on first and final reading.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dog Over-Limit Permit Appeal (Raven Walin): Cale Bledvuna, Raven's boyfriend, testified that Raven's four dogs are well-behaved, elderly, and bonded, and that the shelter system is at capacity. He argued that the city should not punish Raven while aggressive dogs in the same building go unaddressed. Raven Walin herself testified that she followed all rules, her dogs have no complaints, and the dogs are family (including one from her deceased father). She asked for compassion to keep her family together.
• Dog Over-Limit Permit Appeal (Lori Waleen): Lori Waleen testified she lives in a townhouse, has four small dogs (all under 10 lbs), and her landlord approved. She asked to keep them.
• Short-Term Rental Regulations: Numerous residents and stakeholders testified. Supporters of stricter regulation (e.g., Jeannie Beeble, David Badillo, Tarl Knight, Samantha Lang) argued that STRs reduce affordable housing, increase nuisances, and harm neighborhoods. They called for caps, minimum stays, and stronger enforcement. Opponents (e.g., Mark Danen, Tyler LaRoy, Brooke Tassel, Ben Baker) argued that STRs provide economic benefits, reduce police calls compared to long-term rentals, and that better communication and education are more effective than restrictive rules. They highlighted that many STR owners are local, and that the city already has tools to address bad actors.

Discussion Items

• Zoning Amendment: Minimum Lot Width for Single-Family Dwellings: Alder Grant proposed amending the minimum from 50 feet to 60 feet for lots not requiring a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). Staff recommended keeping 50 feet, as it is feasible and used by developers. After debate (with Alder Hutchison and Grant supporting 60 feet due to practical concerns, while Alder Presley and others favored 50 feet to avoid discouraging development), the council voted 7-5 to adopt the 60-foot amendment. The amended ordinance was then approved 8-4.
• Dog Over-Limit Permit Appeal (Raven Walin): The council discussed the case extensively. Some members, like Alder Prophet, supported denial due to the volume of calls at the complex, while others, like Alder Hutchison, were swayed by Raven’s responsible ownership. Alder Morgan moved to hold the item until the December 16 meeting to allow Officer Mavis to testify. The motion passed.
• Dog Over-Limit Permit Appeal (Lori Waleen): The council approved the appeal after brief discussion, noting her dogs are small and she had no complaints.
• Short-Term Rental Regulations (Item 6): The council opened the floor for public testimony. Alder Grant proposed an amendment to refer the item back to staff to develop a neighbor notification letter template, standardized house rules, and improvements to the noise ordinance. After extensive debate, Alder Johnson offered a substitute amendment to reject minimum stay and maximum days rented requirements and refer the item to staff to develop policy and ordinance recommendations with input from aldermen, STR operators, the Equal Rights Commission, and community members. The substitute amendment was approved by voice vote. The item, as amended, was then referred to staff.
• Other Items: The council held over an alley closure item (Item 1) until December 16 and referred it to the Traffic, Bike, and Pedestrian Commission to explore loading zones. Approved a rezone at 1109 South Taylor Street from low density residential to general commercial. Advanced several other ordinances.

Key Outcomes

• Minimum Lot Width: Amended from 50 ft to 60 ft (vote 7-5). Ordinance approved as amended (8-4).
• Dog Over-Limit Appeal (Raven Walin): Held over to December 16, 2025 meeting.
• Dog Over-Limit Appeal (Lori Waleen): Approved.
• Short-Term Rental Regulations: Motion to refer to staff with direction to develop policy (no minimum stay or maximum days limits) passed. Item referred.
• Alley Closure: Held over to December 16 with referral to Traffic, Bike, and Pedestrian Commission.
• Rezone at 1109 S. Taylor St.: Approved.