The Sawyer County Zoning Committee approved a change of conditions for CUP 22-020 (now referenced as CUP 25-055) to permit the sale and continued operation of an event barn property—previously operating as White Stag Real Estate—to new operators who will market the site as Stone Hearth Acres.

Zoning staff summarized prior conditions from the original 2022 permit (seasonal operations, hours limits, no overnight RV/tent camping, requirements for licensed caterers and bartenders, on-site parking and trash removal) and proposed edits to reflect new ownership and an intent to operate year-round. Staff emphasized safety and access, recounting the town road supervisor’s recommendation that guest traffic use Twin Lakes Road (to avoid a sight-distance hill near Bethel Road) and that service/catering traffic be limited to Bethel Road. Jay said staff would condition approval on the town road supervisor’s recommendation.

Applicant David Friend, who holds a lease pending closing, told the committee the liquor-license premises are already defined in the lease and limited to the event barn, cigar lounge and vendor tents. Several public commenters and a retired civil engineer (Martin Hanson) urged specific sight-distance and vision-triangle conditions for guest access. County legal counsel Rebecca Roker advised that liquor licensing and access on town roads fall outside county jurisdiction; she recommended preserving the staff condition requiring town road supervisor approval rather than adding DOT-specific mandates.

Committee member Kaye Wilson moved to approve CUP 25-055 with amended conditions that (1) prohibit overnight camping and RVs, (2) require parking remain on the property with Twin Lakes Road as main guest access, (3) allow Bethel Road access only for catering/event staff, and (4) require consultation with the town road supervisor; the motion carried by roll call. The permit was approved for specified owners/operators (David Friend, Elizabeth Friend, Maxwell Disher or Casey Disher) and requires compliance with all applicable county, state and town rules.

Next steps: staff will finalize permit conditions in writing and advise the town of the committee’s access conditions; liquor licensing remains subject to town and state processes rather than county control.