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Neenah council approves zoning contract, horseshoe land sale, liquor license and administration master-plan services
Summary
At its April 1 meeting the Neenah Common Council approved a $130,000 contract to rewrite zoning and sign codes, a development agreement and land sale to Horseshoe Beverage Company LLC, a Class A liquor license for the Cheese Table, and a $21,555 professional services contract for a city administration building master plan; votes were recorded and tallies announced.
Neenah’s Common Council on April 1 approved multiple measures intended to advance downtown and industrial-center development, update land-use rules and move forward on a small administration building master plan.
The council voted 8–0 to authorize staff to enter into a contract with VanDeral and Associates not to exceed $130,000 to prepare new zoning and sign code documents; to grant a Class A combination liquor license to Union Star Corporation doing business as The Cheese Table at 125 W. Wisconsin Ave.; and to approve a development agreement and offer to purchase city-owned land with Horseshoe Beverage Company LLC to support the company’s planned expansion in the South Park Industrial Center. The council approved a separate professional services agreement to prepare a city administration building master plan, not to exceed $21,555, on a 7–1 vote.
"This agreement really gives them the time and the opportunity to do the due diligence," Director Schmidt said of the Horseshoe Beverage purchase, adding that the transfer would make the parcel taxable and that the city retains a buy-back protection if the development does not proceed.
Why it matters: the zoning and sign-code contract funds a consultant-led rewrite that will shape future permitting and design standards; the Horseshoe agreement converts city-owned property to taxable status and aims to spur local business expansion; the liquor-license approval clears a downtown business to open or expand its service; and the master-plan contract begins a staff-led effort to evaluate needs and options for the city administration building.
Votes at a glance - Contract with VanDeral and Associates (zoning/sign code), not to exceed $130,000 — motion moved by Alderman Lendram, seconded by Alderman Paul; council vote 8–0 (approved). - Class A combo liquor license for Union Star Corporation d/b/a The Cheese Table — motion moved by Alderman Lendram, seconded by Alderman Weber; council vote 8–0 (approved). - Professional services agreement for city administration building master plan, not to exceed $21,555 — motion moved by Alderman Lundram, seconded by Council President Borchard; council vote 7–1 (approved). - Development agreement and offer to purchase with Horseshoe Beverage Company LLC (land sale) — motion moved by Alderman Lendram, seconded by Alderman Ellis; council vote 8–0 (approved). Director/Deputy Schmidt said proceeds are expected to be directed to the city's land sales fund and would yield roughly $450,000 for the related fund/TID.
Council discussion and dissent Alderman Paul said he voted against the master-plan item in committee because he viewed it as a "want versus a need" given other priorities such as stormwater projects, traffic engineering, parking ramp work and unfinished sidewalks. Other council members supported the master-plan contract as a step for long-term facility planning.
Next steps - City staff will begin work with VanDeral and Associates on the zoning and sign-code project under the approved contract. - Final terms of the Horseshoe land sale will proceed under the approved development agreement with standard city protections, including the stated buy-back option if development does not move forward. - The administration building master-plan consultant work will proceed under the approved professional services agreement.
(Reporting based on council discussion and votes at the April 1, 2026 Neenah Common Council meeting.)
