Oconomowoc council approves conditional‑use permit allowing Mont Bijou to operate public cocktail lounge

The Oconomowoc Common Council on Feb. 18 approved a conditional‑use permit that allows the Mont Bijou hotel at 351 East Lisbon Road to operate a public cocktail lounge as an expansion of its legal nonconforming lodging use.

The permit carried with a 6‑2 roll call: Aldermen Spiegelberg, Shellpepper, Maroney, Douglas, Rosick and Altman Cloth voted in favor; Aldermen Ellis and Mulder voted no. The council added a condition that the applicants return for a one‑year update and that the plan commission and common council reserve the right to review the operation and amend the permit if necessary.

Supporters, including several neighborhood residents and the owners, described Mont Bijou as a restored historic property and said a small, upscale lounge would complement the inn’s use rather than generate rowdy nightlife. “Mont Bijou is a high end luxury hotel. It’s never been a bed and breakfast,” owner Joe Brisk told the council, adding the owners want to “do everything the right way” and share the building with local residents. Owner Catherine Brisk said they have operated for a year with no complaints and…