Plan Commission approves Matty’s Bar & Grill expanded event schedule with noise conditions and public-reporting requirement

The New Berlin Plan Commission on March 3 approved a conditional use permit for Matty’s Bar & Grill, allowing an amended outdoor events schedule for 2025 with conditions aimed at limiting noise and providing public reporting of monitoring data.

Staff described the application filed by Matthew (Matt) Anderson for the property at 14460 West College Avenue. The application sought approval for seven dated additional outdoor events and six events listed as “to be determined” (13 additional events total in the application). Staff noted a prior sound study by consulting firm Stantec, ongoing monitoring and that the applicant had generally complied with the city’s noise conditions in previous years. The staff report referenced a 70-decibel limit in condition 3.B and required the applicant to submit monitoring reports to the city; staff recommended approval subject to standard conditions and monitoring requirements.

The public hearing produced numerous speakers on both sides. Supporters described Matty’s as a community asset and noted job creation and fundraising events: Terry Buss said, “Matt Anderson is a great community partner and leader,” and representatives of the Wisconsin Parkinson Association described a planned fundraising “yacht rock” event in May. Several nearby residents opposed the expansion, saying existing music has adversely affected their ability to use their backyards and to sleep with windows closed. Opponents cited health and quality-of-life concerns and said noise levels had on occasion felt higher than allowed.

City staff and the City Attorney clarified monitoring and legal requirements during the discussion. Staff confirmed the 70 dB sound limit and that monitoring reports are submitted to the city and are public records. The City Attorney advised the commission that Wisconsin statute governing conditional use permits requires approval if an applicant agrees to meet ordinance conditions and the commission’s conditions are supported by substantial evidence; staff said the applicant had agreed to the permit conditions.

The commission voted unanimously to approve the conditional use permit application with the conditions in the staff report and an added condition requiring that required noise-monitoring reports be posted on the city’s website as they are received. The record of the vote shows all members present voting yes; Commissioner McGrath was excused.

The approval retains the 70-decibel limit and monitoring/reporting requirements, maintains limits on event hours in the staff report (music end times and earlier Sunday end times were discussed in the hearing), and preserves the city’s complaint-and-revocation process for conditional use permits if conditions are not met.