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Walworth County tables decision on Westrod Cottage marina after heated debate over shoreline protections
Summary
The Walworth County Zoning Agency on May 15 tabled a conditional-use decision for Westrod Cottage Industries' proposed marina on Lake Beulah after hours of testimony from the applicant, attorneys and organized opposition citing environmental and regulatory concerns.
The Walworth County Zoning Agency on May 15 tabled action on a conditional-use permit for Westrod Cottage Industries to operate a marina with eight leased boat slips and eight vehicle parking spaces on Lake Beulah, saying members needed more time to review legal and environmental questions.
The issue was sent back to the committee for decision at its June 19 meeting after weeks of public comment and competing legal arguments about shoreline rules and whether state law (Act 67) or county shoreland ordinance controls. The committee voted to table the matter after public hearings and staff presentations.
The applicant’s attorney, Chris Choratowski, said the physical structures at the site “have been in the water off this property since 02/2008,” and argued that the facility’s use and the existing piers are grandfathered and lawful under state law. John Stoss, the applicant, and other supporters said the marina provides a lawful public access point and a safe place to seek shelter from sudden storms.
Opponents — organized as a lake management district and represented by attorney Sean Lovell — urged denial and submitted technical memoranda. Lovell argued the permit would “cause irreparable damage to fish, wildlife habitats, and plants,” citing expert reports on hydrology and plant communities and contending the proposal conflicts with multiple provisions of Walworth County’s shoreland ordinance (including provisions the opponent cited as 74-1-86, 74-1-79 and 74-1-31) and state statutes limiting mooring spaces.
The applicant disputed the opponents’ legal reading and pointed to a DNR email in the record that, the applicant said, confirms grandfathered pier status. Applicant representatives also said they had worked with Land Use and Resource Management staff on conditions and were ready to meet county standards for insurance, registration and operation.
The committee opened the floor to organized opposition and received technical reports and neighborhood testimony describing the site as a sensitive area for aquatic plants and fish. Protect Lake Beulah and other neighbors presented maps and asked the county to require updated wetland delineation and to consider statutory limits on the number of slips allowed by Wisconsin statutes governing riparian mooring.
After more than two hours of public comment and argument, several committee members said they wanted time to review the record, the court precedent cited by both sides, and the technical exhibits. Committee member Dennis Karbowski moved to table the item to next month so absent committee members could review the full record; the motion was seconded by Richard Kunki Sr. The motion passed.
No regulatory action was taken; the public hearing is closed and the matter will be deliberated by the committee at its next meeting on June 19. The applicant and organized opponents were told to be available for questions on the decision date.
