Plan Commission approves Patrons Park "musical menagerie" after noise concerns and one recusal

The West Bend Plan Commission on May 5 approved a site plan to install a "musical menagerie" — nine outdoor play instruments, a bench and signage — in Patrons Park near the Community Library.

Leona Knoplak, who serves on the board of Roots and Branches, announced she would recuse herself from discussion and the vote because of that affiliation. Chair noted the recusal before the commission took public comment.

Commissioners and nearby residents asked whether the instruments would be audible from adjacent single-family homes. "Do we know if the sounds produced by these instruments will be audible outside the confines of the property?" one commissioner asked. Staff and the applicant said many instruments are toddler-sized and the area is recessed; the project's presenter said the larger instruments are louder but most features are not. "They have the main features up there also... the caterpillar bells, those are not loud," the presenter said.

Staff explained enforcement would follow existing city noise procedures: the park is city-owned but managed by the library board; visible cameras and park hours would aid enforcement and, if a sound issue exceeded the noise ordinance, police would respond. Commissioners discussed daytime vs. after-hours enforcement and whether repeated complaints would prompt library-board mitigation.

After discussion the commission approved the site plan by voice vote with the recorded recusal. Chair said staff and the library director would monitor complaints and follow standard enforcement procedures if necessary.