Resort owner wants to add cottages to Hwy. 33 land

The owner of Abloom Farm Resort on Highway 33 in the Town of Saukville would like to add cottages to his wedding barn and inn business, but doing so would require creating a new ordinance in addition to the one that was passed to allow his current business to operate.

Abloom owner Dale Stenbroten wants to renovate a log cabin and build two cottages  on his 17 acres at the corner of Highway 33 and Birchwood Road.

The new structures would augment the inn that he operates in the main house on the property and a wedding barn.

“We want to be able to create a quiet retreat for people,” he said.

Getting approval for his current business was a drawn-out process for Stenbroten and the town that took more than a year to settle, requiring the drafting of a new ordinance.

Stenbroten wants another new ordinance that he says would more accurately fit the kind of business he wants to operate.

Last year, the town rezoned his property to allow it to operate as a bed-and-breakfast inn and venue for large events such as weddings.

Stenbroten said he’s now seeking a designation that aligns with the state’s definition of a “tourist rooming house,” which he said allows as many as four units or cottages. 

“We don’t serve breakfast, and we don’t rent out individual rooms. We don’t want to go there; we fit the tourist rooming house really well,” he said.

Stenbroten brought the concept to the town Plan Commission earlier this month. No action was taken, but town officials said they would look into the concept.

Until then, things are on hold, he said.

Stenbroten said the log cabin is 16 by 16 feet and that he envisions each of the cottages being 1,000 to 2,000 square feet. All three would be located in the northwest quadrant of the property close to Birchwood Road.

Town Supr. Mike Denzien said he expects the matter to be on the commission agenda on Oct. 13.

“Dale has come up with an idea that doesn’t quite fit the code, but it looks like an idea that we can support,” Denzien said.

“I’m only one person, though. I don’t know the level of appetite” for the project among other officials.