Town panel clears the way for The Bog’s banquet hall

Plans are moving forward for The Bog golf course to start construction this summer of a banquet hall to host weddings and other events.

The Town of Saukville Plan Commission held a public hearing on Tuesday, May 8, for the 5,500-square foot facility that will be built near the golf course’s clubhouse. 

“The Town of Saukville and the county, for that matter, need a place like this,” said resident Terri Haas, during the public hearing for a conditional use permit for the banquet hall.

A few residents voiced concerns about the hours of operation, which were originally to be from 8 a.m. to midnight. They said they were concerned there would be an influx of traffic at night because guests would be rushing to leave the facility at midnight. The Plan Commission decided to extend the hours allowed by the conditional use permit to 12:45 a.m. to allow people to leave the golf course in an orderly fashion.

Resident Mark Best, who lives near the edge of the golf course, asked if the building would be visible from his residence. According to the building plans, the banquet hall would be located approximately 1,500 feet from Highway I, and would not obstruct his view.

“The building doesn’t change the footprint or the way the land is used,” Plan Commission member and Supr. Mike Denzien said. “It doesn’t seem like a big change.”

Best agreed, “The golf course does a great job with its plans, and they never bothered us in the past.”

The conditional use permit initially prohibited outdoor amplified music, but Haas said the golf course hosts a number of fundraising events that include live music. She said she didn’t want fundraisers to be negatively affected without having music. Members of the Plan Commission agreed and decided to allow music to be played outside from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Plan Commission unanimously approved the conditional use permit with its new conditions for hours of operation and outdoor music. 

The Town Board was to consider approving the conditional use permit at its next meeting on Tuesday, May 15. 

“I hope it’s a good project for the patrons of The Bog, and I hope it’s a good project for the community because it’s going to provide more jobs,” Plan Commission member Tom Ravn said.