GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Green Bay Planning Commission has decided to increase capacity at a local homeless shelter. Green Bay city officials and even one resident weighed in on the potential impact of a change to St. John’s Evangelical center.
“I’ve had several concerns,” Landlord Cinnamon Harley said. “That park was a complete tent city. They’re all around it. I’ve had tenants being accosted in the garages, and stuff like that.
Harley says homelessness at a park nearby has been a growing issue for her business. Green Bay City Plan Commissioner Sidney Bremer had similar worries.
“We are talking about a significant increase, that is all the more reason to continue to particular connection with the surrounding area.”
In 2013, the building was renovated to increase the capacity. Since then, its capacity has been at 84, but staff had hoped to increase that total to 140. Seven conditions were given however.
Bremer took an issue with one in particular- to not impede surrounding properties.
“The establishment of this condition use might very well impede the normal and orderly development and improvement of the park.”
But some city officials say if capacity isn’t increased, the issues will remain, just in different areas of the city.
“If we kick out and displace people at the park, where do they go?,” Green Bay Neighborhood Development Specialist Will Peters said.
“They’ll just go to the river or another park. Then we’ll do it there. It’s just a continuous cycle. Something has to change.
Peters said the problem may not be directly affiliated with St. John’s. Operations and Administration Development Director Neil Stechshulte said many of the issues are from those who don’t meet eligibility requirements.
“If there are individuals directly tied to this shelter, directly tied to this CUP, I am confident they won’t be a problem,” Stechshulte said.
The vote passed unanimously, though the commission added one new condition that the shelter must meet annually with downtown neighborhood associations.
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