GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – The Green Bay City Council voted 6-5 Tuesday to direct staff to draft an ordinance establishing a vacant property registration and fee program for commercial and residential properties.
The proposal would address properties that remain unused for an extended period of time with the goal of discouraging long-term vacancy and addressing public costs created by vacant buildings, including code enforcement, safety, maintenance, neighborhood stability and redevelopment impacts.
The vote came after council members debated whether to deny the referral or amend it to request only a memo from staff.
Vacant property debate
One alder said the proposal addresses costs incurred by the city and neighborhoods from neglected, vacant properties…