Planning commission approves conditional-use permit for distillery at 1619 Calumet Drive

The Sheboygan City Planning Commission on Dec. 8 approved a conditional-use permit for Catastrophe Distilling to operate a craft distillery at 1619 Calumet Drive following a staff report and commissioners’ questions.

Jeff, planning staff, told the commission the property is zoned urban commercial and that a distillery is eligible as a conditional use; staff said the applicant plans a substantial investment in the property. Commissioner Kevin asked whether the applicant had evaluated wastewater impacts; the applicant said a distillery consultant reviewed the site and concluded the proposal is within the city’s wastewater parameters and offered to provide details to staff.

During questioning the applicant said the distillery will produce a range of spirits — excluding tequila and rum initially — including aged brown spirits, gin and vodka. Architect Audrey Grill said the owner met with planning staff and does not expect to need additional regulatory buffering because much of the property’s surface parking will remain, but the owner intends to add landscaping. The applicant said operating hours are expected to end by about 9 p.m., and that they do not plan to operate as a late-night bar. Carol Alexander, whose firm is supporting the project’s design, described the former car showroom as small and estimated event occupancy around 50–75 people (possibly up to about 100 including a greenhouse area), emphasizing small, controlled events rather than large late-night parties.

A motion to approve the conditional-use permit was moved and seconded; commissioners voted aye by voice and the chair recorded an aye, and the permit was approved. The commission did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript. Planning staff and the applicant said they would provide follow-up details to commissioners on wastewater and other technical items as needed.