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Paige Heath’s proposed Sand Lake Tiki Bar approved with conditions after local opposition
Summary
The Sawyer County Zoning Committee on Aug. 16 approved a conditional use permit for Paige Heath to operate a Tiki Bar/restaurant in the Town of Sand Lake, 4–1, imposing hours, capacity, licensing and other conditions after public comment both supporting and opposing the project.
The Sawyer County Zoning Committee approved a conditional use permit Aug. 16 for Paige Heath to operate a Tiki Bar and restaurant on a 1.051-acre site in the Town of Sand Lake, voting 4–1 after hearing supporters and opponents during a public hearing.
Paige Heath filed CUP #24-015 seeking to operate the bar/restaurant 10 a.m.–8 p.m. daily and told the committee she would comply with proposed conditions. Committee discussion and staff recommendations resulted in a list of conditions approved with the permit: hours limited to 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; obtain required licensing from DATCP; minimize and direct lighting downward for safety; maintain existing fencing or screening; limit capacity to not exceed 75 people; install internal soundproofing measures; comply with all other town, county, state and federal laws; and the conditional use permit to remain with the owner rather than the property.
Support for the application was recorded in six opinion letters and multiple speakers who spoke during the hearing, including Corey Vatland and others. A substantial list of local residents—identified in the minutes as Cindelu and Scott Crosby, Karlene Hart, Buck and Monika Biernier, Jeanne Plum, Linda Zillmer and others—spoke in opposition, expressing concerns that the committee acknowledged and discussed without resolving at the meeting. Owner Paige Heath indicated she agreed to the committee’s conditions.
Committee members debated conditions and enforcement mechanisms before Steve Kariainen moved for approval; Tweed Shuman seconded. The roll call was Suralski — yes; Wilson — no; Buckholtz — yes; Kariainen — yes; Shuman — yes, yielding a 4–1 approval.
The committee’s legal counsel, Rebecca Roeker, advised that the motion include the Findings of Fact required under county ordinance. The permit’s approval includes those findings and the conditions listed by the committee. The record indicates the committee closed the public hearing portion prior to the final motion.
Next steps: the owner must obtain required licenses and comply with the stated conditions; the committee did not record additional enforcement timelines at the meeting.
