Plan Commission approves Bass Bay Brew House rebuild with kayak-only rentals, tented beer-garden and temporary trailers

The Muskego City Plan Commission approved a building site plan and conditional use grant allowing Bass Bay Brew House to rebuild a single‑story, roughly 13,000 ft² lakeside structure that will include restaurant space, a roughly 3,000 ft² banquet room and a single owner‑occupied residential unit.

City staff told the commission the BL2 Lakeshore commercial zoning permits the bar/restaurant with a conditional use grant and that the rebuild hews closely to the pre‑existing footprint. Adam, the city planner on the record, said the resolution limits on‑water activity: “The approval is specific — kayak rentals only; no speedboats, jet skis or pontoon rentals. The sightseeing boat use is limited to the single pontoon that previously operated on the lake,” and any change would require a new plan‑commission review.

Concerns raised during the public hearing focused on traffic, parking and boat safety. Resident Perry Bord told the commission he has seen patrons park on neighborhood streets and asked for limits on delivery truck size and delivery hours, saying the existing site “creates dangerous conditions for kids” when large events are held. Another resident, Paul Luwendowski, asked that the record limit watercraft to non‑motorized boats or small fishing boats and cap the number and size of any sightseeing vessel.

Staff described the site revisions: reconfigured parking (staff stated the project proposes about 189 stalls, meeting the code requirement of roughly two stalls per 100 ft² of customer area), paving of a gravel area in the northeast lot, and screening requirements for mechanicals and dumpsters. The resolution requires the residential unit to be long‑term or owner‑occupied (not a short‑term rental), and it obliges the applicant to satisfy city permitting and inspections prior to occupancy.

Separately, the commission approved a temporary beer‑garden amendment allowing a rigid‑frame tent covering the patio (39×59 ft) and two temporary mobile service trailers for the summer beer‑garden season; staff said the trailer placements would be approved per an attached site plan and that the authorizations expire when the beer‑garden permit expires. Staff also noted inspectors would monitor tent anchorage and that the fire department would be notified to confirm fire‑safety compliance.

The resolutions carry multiple conditions — including required screening, adherence to the city’s design guidelines, and the prohibition on motorized boat rentals beyond the single sightseeing pontoon — and any change to the watercraft or operational scope must return to the commission for review.

The commission approved the site plan and conditional use grant and the temporary beer‑garden amendments by voice vote. The public‑hearing portion of the record will remain part of the project file for follow‑up at building permit and operational review.