Sawyer County tables Oak Shores Resort bar permit after neighbors and attorney raise setback, septic and traffic concerns

The Sawyer County Zoning Committee on Monday heard more than an hour of public comment and technical questions about a conditional use permit (CUP 26-010) requested by Chad and Wendy Lauderback to convert an existing garage at Oak Shores Resort into a 24-by-60-foot cocktail lounge.

Jay (zoning staff) summarized the proposal, telling the committee the request would allow limited gatherings for guests and occasional invited family or private events, but he flagged open issues: whether the reuse would convert the accessory structure into a principal use (triggering a 10-foot setback instead of a 5-foot accessory setback), the absence of completed sanitary/well plans, and operational limits such as hours and parking. He said the town of Hayward had previously split on the matter and that multiple written comments — including a 16-page submission from an attorney — had been incorporated into the record.

Applicants Chad and Wendy Lauderback described Oak Shores as a long-running resort they operate with their son and said their intent is not to run a late-night bar but to provide a supervised gathering space for guests and occasional community rentals. “This is a family-run business,” the applicants said, adding they had taken decibel readings that showed low noise levels at neighboring properties and that they would install fencing and other measures if needed. They also submitted a letter from a plumber about septic plans and said they met or exceeded setback measurements based on their own field markings.

Opponents and nearby residents questioned the completeness of the application. Max Lindsey, an attorney who participated online and submitted written materials, argued the conversion should be treated as a principal use subject to the ten-foot setback and said the permit lacked a professional survey and sanitary-permit documentation. “If they were seeking to construct a new building and operate it as a bar or cocktail lounge, I have no doubt the committee would view that as a principal structure,” Lindsey said. Neighbor Sherry Lively said she bought her property expecting a garage next door and opposed a bar “right by our house.” Linda Zilmer told the committee the application was incomplete and urged the county to require sanitary plans and other documentation before deciding.

County legal counsel Rebecca advised the committee the setback question and the accessory/principal-use determination raise legal issues that could be addressed by conditions but warned the members they should have substantial evidence to support any denial. Staff proposed alternative pathways: approve with conditions that require submission of septic/well plans and a survey by a registered land surveyor prior to operation, or table the item so the town of Hayward could revisit its earlier split decision.

After extended questioning and comments from both supporters and opponents, committee members moved to table the CUP to the May zoning committee meeting and ask the town of Hayward to provide additional comment and suggested conditions. The motion to table passed by roll call vote (Kaye Wilson: yes; Marshall Savitsky: yes; Ron Buckholz: yes; Steve Cariannon: yes).

The committee indicated it would request the applicant obtain verified survey measurements, sanitation approvals, and any recommended town conditions before the item returns. The committee also asked legal counsel to review the online correspondence and prepare findings the committee could use if it reaches a denial or a conditional approval on a future date.

What happens next: The Oak Shores CUP will be on the zoning committee agenda in May; the committee directed staff to collect town recommendations and legal guidance before reconsideration.